A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Shell Eastern Trading (Shell) to expand their collaboration to decarbonize the maritime industry in Singapore.
Through the five-year MoU, they will work together to advance the uptake of electric harbor craft in addition to developing low-and zero-carbon fuels in Singapore. To support the adoption of these types of vessel, MPA and Shell will identify energy-related development opportunities, which includes a collaboration on charging infrastructure.
The MoU was signed during the unveiling of the first of a series of electric ferries in Singapore, at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore on Pulau Bukom. It is the first vessel of its type for Shell worldwide. The fully electric vessel was designed and built by Singapore-based shipbuilder and owner Penguin International. The first boat from the project – named the Electric Dream project by Penguin – will begin operations in May, carrying Shell employees and visitors between the Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal and Pulau Bukom. Two additional ferries will be added to the company’s fleet and will be operational in August 2023.
To support the use of the sustainable vessels, both MPA and Shell will work to improve the shore charging facilities at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore.
“MPA is committed to working with industry partners, like Shell, to drive decarbonization efforts in the maritime sector,” said Teo Eng Dih, chief executive of MPA. “Our partnership with Shell will tap into both MPA’s and Shell’s expertise in maritime decarbonization, renewable energy and innovation. The MoU is an important step towards achieving our 2030 goal for all new harbor craft to be fully electric, be capable of using 100% biofuels or be compatible with net zero fuels, and achieving net zero emissions in our harbor craft, pleasure craft and tugboat sectors by 2050.”
“We are delighted to sign this MoU with MPA which paves the way for continued collaboration on a variety of decarbonization solutions, including electrification and low-and zero-carbon fuels,” commented said Nick Potter, general manager of Shell Shipping and Maritime for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. “Shell is working closely with industry stakeholders from across the value chain to explore the fuel and technology pathways to shipping decarbonization, and later this year, we plan to kick off a hydrogen fuel cell trial on a Shell-chartered vessel.”
The MoU was signed by Teo Eng Dih and Nick Potter, and the signing was witnessed by S Iswaran, Singapore minister for transport and minister-in-charge of trade relations, and chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore, Aw Kah Peng.