VESSEL REVIEW | President 100 – Singapore operator acquires biodiesel-powered utility craft

President 100, a 16-metre (52-foot) aluminium utility boat operated by Singapore’s Prestige Ocean, has completed a 1,000-hour operational trial running entirely on B100 biodiesel in Singapore waters.

Builder Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) announced completion on January 11, 2026, following a programme that began in July 2025.

The newbuild has been described as Singapore’s first harbour craft powered entirely by biodiesel. Her name includes a reference to Pinnacle Marine’s first aluminium boat, which was named President.

President 100 is classed by China Classification Society (CCS). An enclosed wheelhouse sits above the main deck, while tyre fenders line the hull sides.

Engines and generators all configured to run on biodiesel

The vessel's propulsion machinery consists of two WP13C450-18BF 450hp (340kW) engines and two CCFJ20J-W5BF 20kW generators supplied by Weichai and all configured for operation on B100.

Pinnacle Marine said the completed 1,000-hour trial programme using President 100 showed that biofuels can be used as commercially viable alternatives to traditional marine fuels.

Proven propulsion selection to be applied to future builds

On May 6, 2026, Pinnacle Marine announced construction plans for five 20-metre (15-foot) aluminium B100-compatible utility boats for Prestige Ocean. Each vessel was specified with Weichai WP13C450-18BF engines, with Pinnacle Marine citing the President 100 trial in support of the selection.

The company scheduled the first keel-laying for May 15 and targeted completion of all five boats by the end of September 2026. All five were to be constructed to CCS class.

The announced follow-on specification increases hull length from 16 to 20 metres while retaining the WP13C450-18BF engine model used aboard President 100.