With a looming deadline to cap sulphur emissions from bunker oil, LNG has become an alternative fuel for ships although they face a lack of infrastructure and LNG expertise, especially in Asia.

By the first quarter next year the MPA is expected to finalise licensing requirements for bunker suppliers and craft operators to supply LNG to ships, Captain M Segar, assistant chief executive of operations, told a conference.

Singapore is building an LNG receiving terminal at Jurong Island which will be ready in 2013.