The maritime industry is accelerating its decarbonisation efforts. Companies are now facing growing pressure to understanding the complexities of alternative fuels and reduce emissions. To support this shift, the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) introduced a new training course, “Fundamentals of Marine Green Fuels”. This course is designed to equip maritime professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving fuel landscape.
Bringing together participants from across the maritime operations, the course offered both a strategic and practical perspective on low‑carbon fuel adoption, from upstream production considerations to downstream operational challenges.
The course was led by Dr Sanjay C Kuttan and Mr Qin Aohan, who brought strong technical expertise and industry experience. Their sessions combined structured instruction with open discussion. Participants engaged actively with the material and industry examples.
Tracing of Marine Fuel Supply Chains
A key feature of the course was its focus on the end-to-end supply chain of marine green fuels. Participants examined how fuels move from feedstock origin to onboard combustion, gaining a holistic view of each stage.
The course covered major alternative fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, as well as and their production pathways. This part of the course emphasised how upstream choices influence fuel availability, cost and lifecycle emissions.
Understanding Emissions Accounting and Compliance
Emissions accounting formed another core component of the course. Participants compared Well-to-Wake (WtW0 and Tank-to-Wake (TtW) emissions approaches. Trainers, Dr Sanjay Kuttan and Mr Qin Aohan, walked the group through each frameworks’ mechanisms and applications. This ensured participants had clarity on why regulators are increasingly focusing on full lifecycle emission and how emission frameworks can influence fleet strategies, chartering decisions and long-term investments.
Evaluating Scalability and Infrastructure Readiness
The course also addressed the practical challenges of scaling alternative fuels.
Participants assessed infrastructure readiness and operational constraints across different fuels pathways. Meanwhile, the course examined:
- Feedstock availability and sustainability
- Supply chain reliability and logistics
- Cost competitiveness against conventional fuels
These discussions helped participants evaluate real-world feasibility rather than theoretical potential.
Regional Perspectives from ASEAN and China
To ground discussions in practice, the course featured case studies from ASEAN and China.
Participants explored how governments, ports and industry players are developing green fuel ecosystems. Trainers highlighted the role of policy support, investments and industrial capacity. These regional examples allowed participants to draw lessons relevant to their own operational and commercial contexts.
For future runs of the course, please visit the SSA courses calendar or email trainingsupport@ssa.org.sg to be notified on the upcoming training dates.