As Maritime Singapore continues to work towards their decarbonisation goals, biofuels emerge as a critical alternative fuel that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short-term.
Speaking to Capt. Rahul, we learn that the uptick of biofuels use in international shipping is driving developments in standards setting and educational resources, such as the SSA’s Biofuels FAQ (2026 edition). He also discusses what industry players should look out for when considering adopting biofuels in their operations.
1. From your observations, what is the latest development, or shifts in the market, when it comes to the adoption of biofuels in the Port of Singapore?
2025 has certainly been a record year for Biofuel supplies in the Port of Singapore with 1.36 M tons. This was more than 54% from 2024 and showed the market reaction to tightening European regulations & greater Biofuels use by shipowners and operators.
Singapore’s speed of Biofuels standards development – from the WA2:2022 to the TR140:2025 (which is aligned with ISO 8217:2024) has certainly shown greater quality assurance to the market.
There has been a slowdown in 2026, but this can be due a complex set of reasons such delay in IMO’s carbon pricing mechanism NZF, owners securing cheaper fuels following the Iran War, RED III redistribution in Europe, etc. So, full recovery is possibly yet to be seen.
2. As the industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonise, in your opinion, what is the most critical factor that shipowners need to look out for when making the decision to adopt biofuels?
I think shipowners need to do their homework & understand what Biofuels are, how they behave, what quality tests are essential and how this provides immediate drop-in value for decarbonization.
Use the Fuel Quality Standard ISO 8217:2024, use the Singapore Biofuels Standard TR140:2025, read & understand the SSA Biofuels FAQ 2026.
Then do shipboard trials. There are 180 international shipowners using Biofuels today. This is evidence that it works.
In terms of actual GHG emissions reduction, there is documented evidence that the shipowner can reduce GHG intensity by 88% while using B100 on a single international voyage.
3. What is the main update in the latest edition of the Biofuels FAQ? How does it differ from the previous edition?
The previous SSA Biofuels FAQ document was released two years ago in August 2024. The SSA Marine Fuel Committee felt that it was time to revise this as quite some time had passed & Biofuels sales had increased in Singapore to a record 1.36 M tons in 2025.
There were several changes made to the new 2026 Biofuel FAQ edition such as:
- Referring to the new Singapore Biofuels Standard TR 140:2025 (Specifications for Marine Biofuels) that was launched in 2025.
- Acknowledging the LOTUS project under Global Centre of Maritime Decarbonization (GCMD) that addressed potential impact to engine system but also showed that long term use of Biofuels can be satisfactorily stored & handled with good management & quality monitoring.
- Acknowledging the research work done by NTU Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD) on B100 readiness with proper storage & handling, including oxidation stability of Biofuels as a key measure of degradation.
- Revising Engine Maker operational guidance.
- Revising B30 as the common FAME Biofuel from B24.
- Updating MPA’s Port Marine Circulars.
- Expanding on Fuel EU Maritime stepped reduction of GHG.
- Updating RED III directive change.
- Changes in calculation of Carbon Conversion Factor (Cf) under MEPC.1/Circ.905
- Non-FAME feedstock uses guidance.
- Updating details of companies supplying Biofuels in the Port of Singapore.
- Updating Biofuels market outlook & pricing.
- Further elaboration on MPA’s Green Ship Program.
- Updating the Proof of Sustainability (POS) certification criteria.
4. What is the role that biofuels can play in Maritime Singapore’s decarbonisation ambitions?
Singapore treats Biofuels as a near-term drop-in alternative fuel as part of a broader multi-fuel strategy in a trusted bunkering hub.
On carriage, Singapore adopted the IMO Interim Guidelines early allowing conventional bunker tankers to carry blends up to B30 from 7 March 2025.
There is a domestic mandate where MPA requires all new harbour crafts operating in port waters from 2030 to be fully electric or capable of using B100 or compatible with net zero fuels. So, the link to use of Biofuels is clear.
The Green Ship Program under Green Port offer Port dues concession of up to 30% for use of specific Biofuels for any flag. Larger concessions can apply to the harbour crafts under the Green Craft Program. So, commercial incentives have also been considered with use of Biofuels.
Access the latest edition of our FAQ on Bunkering of Biofuels for Ocean-Going Vessels in the Port of Singapore at https://www.ssa.org.sg/faqs/