Straits Bio-LNG joins SEA-LNG
Singapore-based independent fuel supplier aims to deliver 250,000t of bio-LNG per year at key shipping hub
London, UK, 13 February 2025: Straits Bio-LNG, a world-leading, privately owned supplier of bio-LNG, has joined the SEA-LNG coalition. Headquartered in Singapore, the company boasts a growing team led by SK Tan as CEO.
LNG bunkering volumes have grown significantly in key bunkering hubs as more LNG-fuelled vessels have entered into operation. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) saw a dramatic four-fold increase in 2024 to almost 340,000 tonnes. Straits Bio-LNG recognises the demand is growing and has made it clear that 250,000 tonnes of bio-LNG will be available yearly in response.
Yiyong He, Director at Straits Bio-LNG, said: “We’re firmly convinced in the viability of the LNG pathway to decarbonise the shipping industry. With its very low carbon intensity and improving commerciality, liquified biomethane will be a critical piece of the puzzle for decarbonising the sector. By joining SEA-LNG, we’re proud to be part of a collection of first movers making real strides to make the LNG pathway a tangible reality today.”
Straits Bio-LNG aims to reach its bio-LNG supply goal by using pioneering methods. It is currently in the advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia. Both Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and EFB are sustainable biomass resources listed in the “List of Materials Eligible for ISCC EU Certification” and are therefore compliant with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, added: “The Port of Singapore is the largest global bunkering hub. As seen in our View from the Bridge report, 2024 saw record growth in LNG and liquified biomethane bunkering, but we need more fuel to meet upcoming demand. The use of liquefied biomethane as a marine fuel can reduce GHG emissions by up to 80% compared to marine diesel on a full well-to-wake basis. When produced from the anaerobic digestion of waste materials, such as manure, POME or EFB, methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere is captured, resulting in negative emissions of up to -190% compared with diesel.”
An independent study by the Maritime Energy and Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence at Nanyang Technical University in Singapore found that pure bio-LNG could cover up to 13% of the total energy demand for shipping fuels in 2050, rising to 63% for a 20% blending ratio. The MPA has firmly established itself as a leader in the LNG pathway, with suppliers such as Straits Bio-LNG reinforcing this position. Recently, the port launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.
Straits Bio-LNG will play a critical role in furthering the expansion of liquified biomethane at scale to meet the demand and continuing to showcase the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic solution for shipowners to decarbonise their operations, starting today.
LNG background
Sphera’s 2nd Life Cycle GHG Emission Study on the use of LNG as marine fuel, showed conventional LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) by up to 23% on a full lifecycle, well-to-wake basis inclusive of methane slip and upstream methane emissions. This study was based on primary data from all major marine engine manufacturers, was peer-reviewed by independent academics, and is widely recognised as the most definitive analysis to date of LNG marine fuel emissions.
Clarksons research states 188 ports offer LNG bunkering services, with a further 82 bunkering locations decided and implementing plans or under active discussion. The number of LNG bunker vessels has grown to 50 with a further 34 on order or under discussion. 2023 has seen new LNG bunkering vessels coming into operation in Japan, Korea, Singapore, the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico, NW Europe and the Mediterranean.
About Straits Bio-LNG
Founded in 2024 in Singapore, Straits Bio-LNG is a world-leading, independent supplier of solutions to decarbonise the shipping industry. This company consists of industry veterans in shipping, offshore mooring, LNG storage & reloading, as well as terminal operations. The mission of Straits is to use bio-LNG to decarbonise LNG. Straits Bio-LNG also recognises bio-LNG as the most cost-competitive and abundantly available alternative fuel. For more information, visit https://www.straitsbiolng.com/
About SEA-LNG
SEA-LNG is a UK-registered not-for-profit collaborative industry foundation serving the needs of its member organisations committed to furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel. SEA-LNG has members across the entire LNG value chain including providers of the product, users, engine and asset suppliers, and class societies. SEA-LNG is already recognised as an international leader in LNG matters. Each member organisation commits mutually agreed human resources, data analysis and knowledge sharing in support of SEA-LNG initiatives and activities and financially contributes via a membership fee. SEA-LNG is guided by a board, which is led by chairman Peter Keller, who was elected as Founding Chairman in 2016. For more information, visit https://sea-lng.org/
