(Singapore, 27.03.2025) At the SMW 2025 (Singapore Maritime Week) held from 24 to 28 March, WeiChai Power Singapore is showcasing its purpose-built B100 biofuel marine engine in the exhibition for the first time. The display officially demonstrates a tangible result of WeiChai Power Singapore in promoting net zero emissions in the maritime industry.
Referring to Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s reiteration in his opening speech for the exhibition that Singapore will peak emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Xue Hua, managing director of WeiChai Power Singapore, pointed out that this is why Weichai chose Singapore to conduct long-duration sea trials of B100 biofuel, as the island nation proposes a concrete vision and blueprint for green energy.
“As globalization wanes, WeiChai Power is paying more attention to this regional market while the green energy emerges as a major direction of technological development,” she added.
“We have worked on this region for many years, and we know its strengths; so, we will stay put at the market here.”
It is reported the “B100” stands for pure 100 percent biodiesel, a renewable fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled edible fats and fats that can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications. However, currently, almost no marine vessels in the region use B100 marine engines, with the kind related used proportioned at around 50 percent. Therefore, WeiChai’s B100 engine still needs to undergo a long period of testing before it can be fully launched on the market.
Last year, China Classification Society (CCS), WeiChai Power, Nanyang Technological University’s Maritime Energy and Sustainability Development Centre (MESD), and shipping company Pinnacle Marine signed a four-party research cooperation agreement to conduct 1,000 hours of field testing of B100 biofuel in Singapore waters.
According to WeiChai Power, the latest engine is designed for the environment of this region, to fit the region’s needs and its real circumstances, which is what differentiates their product from those of other parts of the world.
In addition, the regional countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia have rich resources such as palm oil and corn oil, where they will be easily producing a large amount of bio-based raw materials. It is learnt that WeiChai’s B100 engine will be installed on a vessel and tested this month, the picked watercraft being a 16-meter aluminium ship provided by Pinnacle.
However, biofuel is not the only clean alternative fuel available for ships, as hydrogen fuel, methanol fuel, hybrid and battery are also deployable. WeiChai focus on the B100, which is reflecting the company’s commitment to innovation, and offering the practical and affordable solutions while keep improving the functions. This vigour has persistently been shown in other areas of its productions, such as heavy locomotives and agricultural vehicles.
Organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) is an annual event that brings together the international and local maritime community for a week of conferences for strategic discussions, collaboration and networking under the theme “Actions Meet Ambition”.
The SMW 2025 attracted more than 400 exhibitors from 90 countries and regions, as well as more than 18,000 professional visitors. The exhibitors from China take the largest pavilion among the other national pavilions.
On the first day of the SMW this year, WeiChai Power was awarded a certificate by the China Classification Society for its B100 engine, which validates that the product meets specified requirements and can provide a viable solution in transition to green energy. With this certificate, WeiChai’s B100 engine can be installed on a vessel and go seaborne for testing.
Also, an electric barge and an electric pilot boat built by Shanghai-based General Energies Electrical Ship Company were also awarded the CCS certification at the exhibition. Since 2007, the Singapore Maritime Week has provided a platform for marine equipment manufacturing suppliers, buyers, and visitors from all over the world to come exchange ideas and forge collaborations.
