Singapore News

Singapore-based BW Group has increased its stake in the pressurised LPG shipping solutions company Epic Gas to 82.58% with the completion of its voluntary unconditional offer.On 16 April, BW Group received acceptances under the Offer for a total of 9,698,135 shares, corresponding to approx. 13.76% of the outstanding shares and voting rights in the Company.Under the Offer, BW Group has received acceptances for a total of 19,646,947 shares, corresponding to 27.88% of the outstanding shares and voting rights in the Company.Together with the 38…

The Singaporean offshore and marine conglomerate Keppel Corporation reported a net profit of S$203 million (USD 150mln) for the first three months of 2019, 40% below that of S$337 million for 1Q 2018.In 1Q 2018, the Group benefitted from a S$289 million gain arising from the en-bloc sale of Keppel Cove in Zhongshan, China as compared to gains of S$174 million in the current period from the divestment of a 70% interest in Dong Nai Waterfront City, Vietnam and the re-measurement of previously held interests in M1 Limited (M1) at acquisition date.The Group achieved revenue of S$1…

Singapore conglomerate Keppel Corp is planning to add 1,800 staff this year at its offshore and marine business, the first time the company is hiring for the division after cutting thousands of jobs since 2015.The slump in oil prices in 2014 and a global oversupply of drilling rigs had hit orders at the company's O&M division, but demand is slowly returning."With the expected increase in work flow as well as preparing for the upturn we would be looking to add to our (O&M) workforce this year," Keppel CEO Loh Chin Hua said at the company's results briefing.

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) will buy Reliance Industries (RIL) stakes in Singapore-based Reliance Ethane Holding (REHPL) which has a fleet of six very large ethane carriers (VLECs).RIL has 100% holding in six limited liability companies (LLCs) which own the VLECs. "MOL and a strategic minority investor have signed binding definitive agreements for an investment in the six special purpose limited liability companies each owning a VLEC," said a statement from the Mukesh Ambani-led Indian conglomerate holding.Transaction closing is subject to regulatory approvals.

Singapore's Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) has through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Keppel Shipyard Ltd (Keppel Shipyard) and Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS), secured integration and upgrading contracts worth a combined value of about S$160mln (USD 118mln).Chris Ong, CEO, Keppel O&M, said, "These contracts from repeat customers are testament to Keppel O&M's strong customer service in delivering on time, within budget and safely as well as our extensive track record…

The third edition of the Asian Marine Casualty Forum (AMCF) concluded with delegates calling for greater cooperation and continuing dialogue to address the major challenges now facing the marine casualty and salvage industry.Following the unprecedented success of the Forum last week, the organisers LOC, hope the AMCF will return for a fourth edition of the conference during Singapore Maritime Week in April 2021.Highlights of the final day on Friday 12th of AMCF 2019 included a session on bribery and corruption…

Swedish contractor Floatel International has received a new extension from Equinor for its accommodation unit Floatel Superior at the Martin Linge Field Development in Norway’s North Sea.The onshore operational support and supervision company said in a press release that Floatel Superior started its charter at Equinor’s Martin Linge project at the end of July 2018. The contract has now been extended with four months until the end of March 2020.Floatel also said that six monthly options remain in place for the Floatel Superior.Prior to her contract with Equinor…

A total of 10 incidents of armed robbery against ships (comprising nine actual incidents and one attempted incident) were reported in Asia during January-March 2019 compared to 21 incidents (comprising 15 actual incidents and six attempted incidents) during January-March 2018.This accounts for a 52% decrease in the total number of incidents reported during January-March 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, said ReCAAP ISC's Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia for the 1st Quarter Report…

Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia 1st Quarter Report January to March 2019Overall SituationA total of 10 incidents of armed robbery against ships (comprising nine actual incidents and one attempted incident) were reported in Asia during January-March 2019 compared to 21 incidents (comprising 15 actual incidents and six attempted incidents) during January-March 2018This accounts for a 52% decrease in the total number of incidents reported during January-March 2019 compared to the same period in 2018The number of actual incidents has also decreased by 40% during January-March 2019 c

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) has announced the expansion of its market presence in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region’s maritime industry.The stronger presence will help the company gain deeper insights into market trends as well as customer needs in chemicals and logistics sectors in Singapore and the wider APAC region, said a press release from the logistics and transportation company.The expansion will also enable Bahri Logistics and Bahri Chemicals, two of five business units of the company…

FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, has set a new industry milestone for Singapore by completing its 100th LNG bunkering operation.Since May 2018, FueLNG has been providing truck-to-ship LNG bunkering for two dual-fuel tugs operated by Keppel Smit Towage.FueLNG is also able to provide LNG for the commissioning of LNG systems and machinery, and trials for gas-fueled vessels. In September 2017, FueLNG completed…

Singapore's Keppel Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Infrastructure Holdings, has completed its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo import under Singapore's spot import policy.The policy allows gas customers in the Republic to import up to 10 per cent of their annual long-term contracted LNG intake on a spot cargo basis.The spot cargo of 160,000m3 of LNG originated from an LNG liquefaction project in North America, marking the first time that Keppel Gas has diversified…

Norwegian classification bureau DNV GL and Singapore-based Keppel Marine and Deepwater Technology (KMDTech), a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), have signed a framework agreement to boost the uptake of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as ship fuel.The deal covers potential newbuilding projects including LNG bunker vessels, small-scale LNG carriers and floating storage regasification units (FSRUs), as well as LNG related assets employing battery and hybrid technologies.“The…

Norway-based dry bulk shipping company Golden Ocean Group Limited (GOGL) has acquired a 15% ownership interest in Singapore Marine, a dry bulk freight operator sponsored by Peter Weernink, the former Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Marine SA.Singapore Marine, which has offices in Singapore, Geneva and Verbier, will initially focus on the Post Panamax to Capesize vessel segments and seek to generate returns in all market conditions by employing an asset-light business model.Thomas Semino…

Singapore has been ranked the world's top maritime capital for the fourth consecutive time in the Leading Maritime Capitals of the World (LMC) report. The Leading Maritime Capitals report for 2019 is with fresh insight on which maritime metropolises provide the best support for companies in shipping and related services.Criteria include soft and hard infrastructure and access to world-class talent and services – all key components that maritime businesses need to thrive in their chosen locations.Singapore maintained its top position at the head of the 15 leading maritime capitals.

Singapore's maritime sector is preparing to ride the wave of digitalisation as a means to chart next phase of growth. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will focus on digitalisation to help companies innovate and improve productivity over the next three years, said Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Health.The Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) will also present the Singapore Maritime R&D Roadmap 2030 to optimise R&D efforts and resources for greater value co-creation within the maritime industry.Ms Quah Ley Hoon…

Singapore yard Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) said that its wholly-owned subsidiary Keppel Singmarine will develop an autonomous tug that will be operated by Keppel Smit Towage.The tug is expected to be one of Singapore’s first autonomous vessels when the project is completed in 4Q 2020.To develop the autonomous tug, Keppel O&M has secured a grant of up to S$2 million from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) under its Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT FUND).This follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Keppel O&M…

Shipping major AP Moller-Maersk Group's export-import (exim)-focused trade finance arm Maersk Trade Finance is targeting a 33 percent loan disbursal growth at $200 million in 2019 in India.The trade financing solution arm of Danish business conglomerate said that it disbursed a total of USD 0.7 billion globally till date since its inception in 2015, with over 150 million in India in the year 2018, a 53% Y-o-Y increase as compared to 2017.Vipul Sardana, Global Head of Maersk Trade Finance said “Indian SME sector continues to play a significant role in India's economic development.

The independent ship classification society Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), continues to grow steadily in the Asia Pacific region – enhancing presence in key Asian shipping markets including Malaysia, Indonesia and China.IRClass said that it has recently  received authorisation as Recognised Organisation (RO) from the flag administrations of Malaysia and Thailand and expects to attain recognition from other key nations in the region.The Singapore office remains the classification society’s regional headquarters as it strengthens its operations in this region…

Shell Marine has introduced a new two-stroke engine cylinder oil specifically for use with engines running on 0.5% sulphur content very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) ahead of the IMO sulphur cap 2020.With a Base Number of 40, Shell Alexia 40 has been developed to optimise equipment performance and condition as ship owners and charterers prepare for the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) 0.50% global sulphur limit for marine fuels in 2020.Shell Marine expects most of…

The World Maritime University (WMU) signed an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), to cooperate on global maritime leadership training and capacity building for the international maritime community. The enhanced MoU was signed by Ms. Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive, MPA, and Dr. Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU.The agreement provides for cooperation between the two partners on the education of maritime leaders, leadership development programmes…

The classification society DNV GL has been selected to head up a Singapore-based research programme that will study the applications of additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing,  for the maritime sector.In a joint industry program (JIP) initiated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), DNV GL will team up with ten member companies of the Singapore Ship Association (SSA) to examine how spare parts produced by 3D printers can help the capital-intensive industry…

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) signed a joint memorandum of understanding in Singapore.The new MOU codifies the extensive level of co-operation that already exists between these important international trade associations and provides a framework for their closer co-operation, said a press release. The three associations collectively represent over 90 percent of the world merchant fleet.