Singapore shipper claims milestone with bio-methanol refuelling

Singapore: A Singapore shipping firm performed on Monday what it called the world s first simultaneous refuelling of a container ship with bio methano...

Singapore: A Singapore shipping firm performed on Monday what it called the world's first simultaneous refuelling of a container ship with bio-methanol while it was being loaded with cargo in the port.

Simultaneous loading and refuelling hastens a vessel's turnaround time, according to Shmuel Yoskovitz, chief executive of Singapore-based X-Press Feeders.

With extra time, the ship can sail at a slower pace, reducing fuel use and leading to lower costs and emissions, he added.

Global maritime transport accounts for 2.89 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, data from the International Maritime Organisation shows. On a global scale, it is more polluting than air transport.

"This milestone represents a significant leap forward for X-Press Feeders and the global maritime industry," said Francis Goh, the firm's chief operating officer.