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BHP and GoodFuels Marine, with the support of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to collaborate on a biofuel pilot project in Singapore, which is expected to be carried out early next year.

The LOI was signed during the inaugural biofuel roundtable, which was held in Singapore on Thursday to drive discussions on the use of biofuel as a sustainable alternative fuel for the future of shipping.

Organised by the MPA, BHP and GoodFuels, the closed-door roundtable event brought together shipowners of different ship types to network, share insights into the use of biofuel to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations as well as explore areas of collaboration.

Among the topics discussed at the roundtable were barriers to the use to biofuel and how these could be addressed.

MPA Sustainability Director Tan Suan Jow, also provided insight into ongoing efforts towards developing Singapore into a clean, green port.

Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, said: "We are pleased to facilitate discussions on the biofuels front along with our partners, BHP and GoodFuels. The roundtable comes at an opportune time in light of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 0.5% global sulphur cap on marine fuels which will come into effect from 2020, as well as IMO's longer-term plan to lower carbon emissions for shipping. MPA welcomes dialogues across stakeholders and will continue to work with relevant parties as we prepare the bunkering industry for the future."

Abdes Karimi, Manager Ocean Freight Operations & Sustainability of BHP, commented: "In a world fighting to combat climate change, it is important that marine biofuels get in the 'evoked set' of options for shippers to choose from. Today, BHP is proud to have taken the leading role in this initiative."

Dirk Kronemeijer, Chief Executive Officer of GoodFuels, remarked: "We are very proud that our 'biofuel-footprint' of supply locations and sustainable customers is spreading from Europe to the largest bunkering port in the world and our first Asian partner as well. From now on, sustainable marine biofuels are available in Singapore for those ship and freight owners that want to eliminate their carbon and sulphur emissions."

Attending the event were representatives from Berge Bulk, BHP, Boskalis, Cargill, Engie, GoodFuels, MPA, Mitsui O.S.K. Line (MOL), Nanyang Technological University, NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte Ltd, Oldendorff, Singapore Maritime Institute and Wartsila.