Singapore to train international maritime personnel in cleaner fuels usage

Singapore will set up a facility to train international maritime personnel in the use of cleaner fuels such as methanol and ammonia, as part of the Republic’s move towards these alternative ship fuels.

The Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF) is expected to prompt industry players to invest in related training facilities and solutions in Singapore as well so as to tap this growth area, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Announcing this at the opening ceremony of Singapore Maritime Week, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said: “Seafarers and other maritime personnel can acquire the necessary skills for safe handling, bunkering, and incident management of alternative fuels and low- or zero-emission vessels.”

The maritime industry has signalled “strong demand” for common training facilities in this area, said MPA.

Most ships burn fuel oil, a fossil fuel, but methanol and ammonia are emerging as lower-carbon alternatives. The facility will cover those two fuels for a start, though hydrogen may be added in the future.

At Monday’s ceremony, MPA chief executive Teo Eng Dih signed a letter of intent to establish the facility with 22 industry partners, including international organisations, classification societies, unions and institutes of higher learning.