Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) councillors have called for greater regulatory clarity and financial backing to help the maritime sector adopt electric harbour craft and alternative fuels.

Speaking at the Singapore-Norway Maritime Industry Forum on 24 April during Singapore Maritime Week, Keng Lin Lee, chair of SSA’s Decarbonisation Committee, and Rohit Radhakrishnan, chair of the Marine Fuels Committee, addressed key challenges linked to the industry’s energy transition.

On electric harbour craft, Lee noted that the sector needs clearer guidance and support from regulators to move ahead with confidence. He added that government grants can help de-risk early investment, while clearer charging infrastructure plans, policies and rules would help accelerate uptake.

The discussion comes as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) requires all new harbour craft in Singapore to be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuel or compatible with net-zero fuels by 2030, in support of the country’s 2050 net-zero target.

On alternative fuels, Radhakrishnan stressed that safety standards and commercial viability would be crucial to creating a workable path for wider uptake in Singapore. He also highlighted that sustainability must include the economic dimension, with support needed to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises are not left behind during the transition.

SSA said it will continue working with MPA to ensure industry concerns are heard as Singapore moves towards licensing and bunkering additional alternative fuels at the port.