• 06 Jul 2016

Liquefied natural gas-powered vessels calling at the port of Singapore will now be included in the Green Port Programme under which they will receive a flat rate of 25 percent concession in port dues.

The Green Port Programme (GPP) incentives were initially set in 2011 for vessels using fuel with sulphur content not exceeding 1 percent. GPP  has has received strong support from the maritime industry, as more than 3,700 vessel calls have switched to marine fuel with sulphur content not exceeding 1%. However, MPA has reduced the sulphur oxides limit to 0.5 percent, starting July 1, 2016, while LNG-powered vessels will also receive incentives under the Green Ship Programme.

The Green Ship Programme (GSP) is a voluntary programme under which more than 50% of qualifying ships exceeded the current Energy Efficiency Design Index frame required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

MPA has recently been taking steps to prepare itself to be an LNG bunker-ready port and to stimulate the use of liquefied natural gas as a marine fuel. It is looking to launch its LNG Bunkering Pilot Programme in early 2017, under which to date S$ 12 million have been committed.