---

Oil major Shell Eastern Trading (Pte) Ltd. has been presented with this year's Bunker Award at the Singapore International Maritime Awards (IMAs) 2013, which saw 50 awards in total being presented.

Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) during the Singapore Maritime Week, the biennial IMAs recognise companies and individuals for their outstanding contributions to Singapore's development as a major global hub port and international maritime centre.

Presenting the Bunker Award to Shell was Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport.

According to data released by the MPA in January, Shell was ninth in Singapore's list of leading bunker suppliers by volume last year. BP Singapore Pte Ltd. was named the leading supplier for the tenth year in a row, followed by 2011 IMA Bunker Award winner Sentek Marine & Trading Pte. Ltd. and Brightoil Petroleum (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Bunker sales volumes in Singapore fell by 0.5 million tonnes to 42.7 million tonnes last year, down from 43.2 million tonnes in 2011. It is the first time since 2002 that year-on-year bunker volumes have decreased.

Other companies and individuals to be recognised at the IMA event were:

APL Yangshan, Neptune Orient Lines Limited
SRS Green Ship of the Year Award

BW Group
SRS Ship Owner of the Year Award

Simpson, Spence & Young
Maritime Service Provider Award

Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Pte Ltd
Outstanding Maritime R&D and Technology Award

Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Ltd
Offshore & Marine Engineering Award

Singapore Maritime Academy, Singapore Polytechnic
Excellence in Training Development Award

Tian San Shipping (Private) Limited
Special Mention Award

Mr David Chin Soon Siong
Executive Director
Singapore Maritime Foundation
International Maritime Centre (Individual) Award

NYK Group South Asia Pte Ltd
International Maritime Centre (Corporate) Award

IMA 2013 saw the introduction of the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) Green Ship of the Year Award, which recognises quality Singapore-registered ships with energy efficient ship designs. The award was presented to Neptune Orient Lines Limited for its vessel APL Yangshan.

Mr Lui also presented the Maritime Sector Incentive (MSI) award certificates to 40 maritime companies that have joined and helped strengthen the maritime cluster in Singapore. The MSI aims to facilitate the growth and expansion of ship owners/ ship operators and maritime service providers in Singapore.

Of the 40 recipients, 33 were awarded the MSI-Approved International Shipping Enterprise scheme; one was awarded the MSI-Maritime Leasing scheme; and six were awarded the MSI-Shipping-related Support Services scheme.

Singapore is home to a vibrant maritime ecosystem with more than 5,000 maritime establishments, which includes around 130 of the world's top international shipping groups, and a rich diversity of maritime service providers.