Leon Alexander<\/strong>, Partner at Clyde & Co<\/strong><\/a>
Hannah Chua<\/strong><\/a>, Legal Director at Clyde & Co<\/strong><\/a>
Elizabeth Teo<\/strong>, Associate at Clyde & Co<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Clyde & Co<\/a>\u2019s Young Arbitration Group provides a unique insight into international arbitration issues through the lens of young international arbitration practitioners working across different jurisdictions. In this series with Daily Jus<\/a>, Clyde & Co explores the role of arbitration in mining disputes.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two different aspects to renewable energy disputes in Singapore<\/a>: the renewables landscape within Singapore itself, and Singapore\u2019s status as a regional financial hub and international arbitral centre.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2021, Singapore launched its key environmental strategy, the Singapore Green Plan 2030<\/a>, in which it announced its commitment to achieve its long-term net-zero emissions aspiration by 2050, including by establishing a robust legal framework to tackle environmental and climate change issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of Singapore\u2019s Green Plan 2030, Singapore is the first country in Southeast Asia to introduce a carbon tax on greenhouse gas emissions. This carbon tax aims to incentivise emissions reductions across all sectors and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also additional climate disclosure requirements for SGX-listed companies<\/a> in Singapore, which will be imposed in a phased approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/span><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n One of the key aspects of the renewable energy landscape in Singapore is in relation to marine fuel or \u201cbunkering\u201d. Singapore is the largest bunkering hub in the world and is at the forefront of exploring the use of renewable energy as bunker fuel. In particular, the Singapore Marine Port Authority (\u201cMPA<\/strong>\u201d) advocates for the supply of biofuel to vessels within the Singapore port. Its efforts include the development of a provisional national standard on the specifications of marine biofuel to supplement international standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apart from biofuel, the MPA has also been actively developing initiatives on the use of ammonia as a viable marine fuel alternative. Indeed, the world\u2019s first use of ammonia as marine fuel was successfully piloted in Singapore, where the Fortescue Green Pioneer<\/em> was reported to have loaded liquid ammonia during a fuel trial. It received flag approval and the \u201cGas Fuelled Ammonia\u201d notation by its classification society.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April 2024, the Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (\u201cGDSC<\/strong>\u201d) commenced the implementation phase, with the GDSC partners set to implement various first-mover pilot projects to accelerate the uptake of zero and near-zero emission fuels, including ammonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At a press conference in June 2024<\/a>, Singapore\u2019s Transport Minister also highlighted the shipping industry\u2019s transition towards green fuels such as ammonia and methanol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singapore\u2019s positioning as a frontrunner in the development of green marine fuel is bolstered by its status as a leading arbitration hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singapore has established itself as a premier forum for resolving disputes in the APAC region, whether through litigation or arbitration. In addition to Singapore\u2019s strategic geographical position in the APAC region, its economy is consistently ranked as one of the most open and least corrupt in the world and it is generally seen as a neutral jurisdiction making it an attractive place to resolve multi-jurisdictional disputes. Furthermore, its status as a key hub for international trade uniquely positions Singapore to facilitate the resolution of energy and renewables disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singapore\u2019s popularity as an arbitral seat is reflected by its ranking in 2022 as the second most popular seat after London for energy-related international commercial arbitrations, ahead of Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai and New York \u00a0(See<\/em> Queen Mary University of London and Pinsent Masons, \u2018Future of International Energy Arbitration Survey Report<\/em>\u2019, 20 January 2023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Singapore, domestic arbitrations are governed by the Arbitration Act, while international arbitrations fall under the purview of the International Arbitration Act. Singapore\u2019s International Arbitration Act closely follows the UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission On International Trade Law) Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (2006) (\u201cUNCITRAL Model Law\u201d)<\/a>, making it familiar to parties from various jurisdictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a signatory to both the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (1958) (\u201cNew York Convention\u201d)<\/a> and the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (2019) (\u201cSingapore Convention on Mediation\u201d)<\/a>, Singapore also ensures that arbitral awards and commercial mediated settlement agreements are recognized and enforceable across borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singapore is home to two main arbitration centres: the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)<\/a> and the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA)<\/a>. Each institution operates its own set of rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Energy-related disputes with no connection to the marine industry are typically administered by the SIAC, whereas maritime disputes are commonly referred to the SCMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notably, the SCMA has a special set of procedure for claims relating to the supply of marine fuel, known as the Singapore Bunker Claims Procedure (SBC Terms).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This set of terms has been designed specifically to service the bunker industry, with a view to resolving bunker disputes expeditiously by having a \u201cfit-for-purpose\u201d procedure.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the SBC Terms are applicable regardless of the composition of the marine fuel, bunker suppliers will remain able to benefit from using the SBC Terms to resolve their disputes in Singapore arbitration even as they transition towards the supply of marine fuel of renewable sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned, Singapore acts as a regional financial hub for the APAC region and is the headquarters for the 21 member states of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The APAC region is expected to grow exponentially in the field of renewables as countries transition to clean energy towards the goal of net-zero emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2021, the APAC region achieved a decarbonisation rate of 1.2%<\/a> on average in comparison to 0.5% globally. The International Energy Agency\u2019s Announced Pledges Scenario (updated in August 2023) anticipates that APAC renewables investments made from 2022 through 2030 will hit $286 billion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several notable projects and initiatives include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2022, the Singapore<\/a> Government launched the longest sovereign green bond on the market, featuring a 50-year tenor green bond designed to fund renewables and energy efficient projects. The bond attracted strong demand from institutional investors, with the order book being over-subscribed by 2.3 times for an issuance size of S$2.35 billion. The bond was subsequently issued again in 2023 and 2024. Singapore is committed to green energy and its elite status in the international arbitration world make renewables arbitration in Singapore an increasing area of expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ABOUT THE AUTHORS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Leon Alexander<\/strong> is a partner in the Singapore office of Clyde & Co<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0His practice focuses on advising commodities and energy multinational corporations. Leon has significant experience of multi-jurisdictional dispute resolution and handles claims both in court and arbitration proceedings including SIAC<\/a>, ICC<\/a>, LCIA<\/a>, GAFTA, FOSFA<\/a>, LMAA<\/a> and SCMA<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hannah Chua<\/strong><\/a> is a Legal Director in the Singapore Energy, Marine and Natural Resources team at Clyde & Co<\/strong><\/a>. She regularly acts for and advises clients in the energy and maritime industry, including leading commodity trading firms, mining companies, multinational energy corporations, shipowners and charterers. Her disputes\u00a0experience encompasses proceedings in the Singapore courts as well as international arbitration (e.g.<\/em> SIAC<\/a>, SCMA<\/a>, LCIA<\/a>, LMAA<\/a>, ICC<\/a> and ad-hoc arbitrations). In recent years, Hannah has also been closely involved in projects involving clean and renewable energy, including LNG, biofuel and ammonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elizabeth Teo <\/strong>is an associate in the Energy, Marine and Natural Resources team at Clyde & Co.<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>based in Singapore. She specialises in shipping, international trade and commodities, both contentious and non-contentious. She has represented a range of clients including insurers, commodity traders, shipowners, charterers and financiers in Singapore court proceedings and various arbitration forums (SCMA<\/a>, SIAC<\/a>, LMAA<\/a> and ad-hoc arbitrations). AsiaLaw\u2019s Rankings recognised her as \u201ccontactable at any time, she is a comprehensive and practical solution provider\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *The views and opinions expressed by authors are theirs and do not necessarily reflect those of their organizations, employers, or Daily Jus, Jus Mundi, or Jus Connect.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Explore Singapore’s role in renewable energy arbitration, focusing on its Green Plan 2030 and its position as a leading arbitration hub for energy disputes in the APAC region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":283279,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"subtitle":"","format":"standard","video":"","gallery":"","source_name":"","source_url":"","via_name":"","via_url":"","override_template":"0","override":[{"template":"custom","single_blog_custom":"274736","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"author","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"hide","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"0","show_view_counter":"0","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"0","show_post_author_image":"0","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"0","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"0","show_prev_next_post":"0","show_popup_post":"0","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"0","show_post_related":"0","show_inline_post_related":"0"}],"override_image_size":"0","image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post":"0","trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post":"0","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","sponsored_post_name":"","sponsored_post_url":"","sponsored_post_logo_enable":"0","sponsored_post_logo":"","sponsored_post_desc":"","disable_ad":"0"},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"171","hide":""},"jnews_social_meta":{"fb_title":"Renewables Arbitration \u2013 A Perspective from Singapore","fb_description":"Explore Singapore's role in renewable energy arbitration, focusing on its Green Plan 2030 and its position as a leading arbitration hub for energy disputes in the APAC region.","fb_image":"283280","twitter_title":"Renewables Arbitration \u2013 A Perspective from Singapore","twitter_description":"Explore Singapore's role in renewable energy arbitration, focusing on its Green Plan 2030 and its position as a leading arbitration hub for energy disputes in the APAC region.","twitter_image":"283280"},"jnews_review":[],"enable_review":"0","type":"percentage","name":"","summary":"","brand":"","sku":"","good":[{"good_text":""}],"bad":[{"bad_text":""}],"score_override":"0","override_value":"","rating":[{"rating_text":"","rating_number":"10"}],"price":[{"shop":"","price":"","link":"","icon":""}],"jnews_override_counter":{"override_view_counter":"0","view_counter_number":"0","override_share_counter":"0","share_counter_number":"0","override_like_counter":"0","like_counter_number":"0","override_dislike_counter":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[205,170,249,197,195,188,171,161,247],"tags":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-283221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arbitration","category-asia-pacific","category-clyde-co","category-energy","category-industry","category-legal-insights","category-singapore","category-world","category-worldwide-perspectives"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=283221"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":283281,"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283221\/revisions\/283281"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/283279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=283221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=283221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=283221"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=283221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Renewables Landscape in Singapore<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Singapore\u2019s use of Renewable Energy \u2013 Green Marine Fuel<\/strong>
Singapore as an Arbitral Seat<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key Arbitral Institutions in Singapore<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Special Arbitration Rules for Supply of Marine Fuel<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Renewable Projects in the Asia Pacific Region<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Conclusion <\/strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailyjus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024-09-Clyde-and-co-1024x337.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n