Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has granted LNG bunkering licences to eight companies, significantly expanding the port’s roster of approved marine fuel suppliers, according to Ship & Bunker.
The new licences take effect on September 1, 2026, and will remain valid until August 31, 2031, MPA said in a press release cited by Ship & Bunker.
Who Received the New Licences
According to Ship & Bunker, the eight new licence holders 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-Sembcorp Fuels (Singapore) joint venture
- Vitol Bunkers (S)
Prior to this round of approvals, only three companies held LNG bunker supplier licences in Singapore: FuelLNG, Pavilion Gas, and TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, Ship & Bunker reports.
Selection Process
MPA had opened applications for additional licences in January 2026 and received 14 proposals aimed at scaling up LNG bunker supply capacity in the port, as reported by Ship & Bunker in April.
According to the report, applicants were evaluated on several criteria, including supply capability, commercial plans, operational experience, and safety standards. MPA’s evaluation also factored in each applicant’s ability to manage methane slip and support lower-emission fuel options such as liquefied biomethane and e-methane.
Separately, Ship & Bunker notes that MPA will upgrade its LNG bunkering technical reference (TR56) into a Singapore Standard in August, a move intended to strengthen safety and operational requirements for LNG bunkering activities in the port.
Recent Demand Trends
Ship & Bunker also reported that Singapore’s LNG bunker sales in June totalled 54,970 mt, representing a 0.7% decline year-on-year and a sharper 21.8% drop compared to the previous month.
Does This Matter to You?
The expansion of Singapore’s LNG bunkering licensee base from three to eleven suppliers may be relevant to vessel operators and charterers considering LNG as a marine fuel option, as it could affect supply availability and competition among suppliers in one of the world’s busiest bunkering hubs. Bunker traders and fuel buyers monitoring the Singapore market may also find the addition of major energy trading houses and oil majors to the supplier list relevant to future sourcing decisions.
The planned upgrade of the TR56 technical reference into a Singapore Standard could be of interest to those involved in LNG bunkering operations and safety compliance, though the specific implications of this change were not detailed in the source material.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
