Singapore Expands LNG Bunkering Capacity with Eight New Marine Fuel Licences
Singapore is set to significantly expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering capacity as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announces the issuance of eight new licences for LNG marine fuel supply services from 1 September 2026. The move is aimed at strengthening Singapore’s maritime fuel infrastructure, supporting the growing demand for alternative marine fuels, and reinforcing the country’s role as a leading global bunkering hub for the shipping industry.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the new LNG bunkering licences will enhance the availability of LNG marine fuel services and develop a stronger supporting ecosystem for vessels adopting cleaner fuel solutions. The initiative aligns with global shipping industry efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition towards low-carbon maritime fuels and sustainable shipping operations.
The eight companies selected to receive the LNG bunkering licences are Aramco Trading Singapore, Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific, PetroChina International (Singapore), Shell Eastern Trading, Sinopec Fuel Oil (Singapore), TotalEnergies Gas & Power Asia (TEGPA)-Sembcorp Fuels (Singapore) Joint Venture, and Vitol Bunkers (S).
The successful applicants were chosen after a detailed evaluation of their LNG fuel supply capabilities, commercial strategies, operational experience, and safety management systems. The assessment also considered their ability to monitor and reduce methane slip emissions and support the supply of advanced methane-based marine fuels, including liquefied bio-methane and e-methane, which offer lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional marine fuels.
Under the new licensing framework, the licences will remain valid for five years, from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031, provided that operators continue to comply with MPA’s licensing requirements. Licensed companies will be responsible for delivering complete end-to-end LNG bunkering services, including LNG fuel supply, storage management, cargo transfer operations, and delivery of marine fuel directly to vessels.
The issuance of the licences follows the completion of MPA’s Call for Applications launched on 14 January 2026, marking another step in Singapore’s strategy to develop a diversified and resilient multi-fuel bunkering ecosystem capable of supporting both conventional and next-generation marine fuels.
To further improve the safety and reliability of LNG bunkering operations, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, will upgrade the existing Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering (TR56) into a Singapore Standard (SS) in August 2026. The upgraded standard will introduce enhanced requirements for LNG bunkering safety, operational procedures, custody transfer processes, and crew competency standards.
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The development of a strengthened LNG bunkering regulatory framework is expected to improve industry confidence, promote safe marine fuel operations, and support Singapore’s ambition to remain a trusted international maritime centre and a key hub for green shipping, clean marine fuels, and global maritime logistics.
