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10 Aug 2025

Singapore Tugboat Becomes ‘Nation’s First’ to Earn Biofuel-Ready Status

10 Aug 2025  by offshore energy   
Marina Offshore, a Singapore-based towage services provider, has retrofitted its 2012-built tugboat, Marina Zanite, to become the first vessel of its kind in Singapore to receive a biofuel-ready notation from Bureau Veritas, a French classification society. The retrofit, completed in 2025, involved modifications to the tug’s tank and crew training to enable operations with biofuel blends, supporting the company’s efforts to reduce its fleet’s carbon footprint.

The 30-meter-long and 9-meter-wide Marina Zanite now aligns with Singapore’s maritime decarbonization goals, as highlighted by Bureau Veritas. The project demonstrates the feasibility of adapting existing vessels for biofuel use, enhancing sustainability while meeting stricter environmental regulations. Brian Lim, Head of Marketing at Marina Offshore, stated: “Meaningful collaborations such as this empower smaller operators like us to contribute towards MPA’s 2030 decarbonization targets while driving sustainable innovation in harbour towage operations.”

Singapore, recognized as the world’s leading maritime center for 12 consecutive years according to the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index, has seen significant growth in biofuel adoption. In 2024, biofuel bunker sales reached approximately 880,000 tonnes, up from 520,000 tonnes in 2023, with alternative bunker fuels totaling 1.34 million tonnes. Since March 2025, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has permitted licensed conventional bunker tankers to deliver biofuel blends up to B30 without separate approval. For blends above B30 to B100, suppliers must seek MPA approval for pilots or deliveries.

Danish maritime company Norden completed the region’s first B100 bunkering operation, following a trial with a B24/VLSFO blend on its Panamax vessel, Nord Taurus. These developments reflect Singapore’s commitment to exploring biofuels as a pathway to net-zero emissions, supporting sustainable maritime operations.

The Marina Zanite retrofit positions Marina Offshore as a contributor to Singapore’s environmental goals, enhancing the sustainability of harbor towage services while aligning with global trends toward cleaner fuel alternatives.

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