Port Marine Circular No News

In light of the current shipping downturn and to demonstrate the government’s commitment to maintain Singapore as a global hub port, MPA will grant an additional 10% concession on port dues payable by ocean going container vessels carrying out cargo works with port stay of not more than 5 days. This will be for a period of 1 year and will take effect on 15 January 2016. The additional 10% concession is granted on remaining port dues payable after the port dues concession for green port programme, if applicable, and the 20% port dues concession for container vessels which was first introduced in 1996. Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.2 of 2016 dated 14 January 2016

Following the World Health Organisation’s official declaration that Sierra Leone is now free of the Ebola virus transmission from 7 November, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has updated the required measures to prevent the introduction of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Singapore. As advised in the Port Marine Circular No.13 of 2015 dated today (11 November), arriving vessels that have been to the Ebola affected countries (i.e. Guinea) in the past 21 days are required to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health Form to the National Environment Agency (Port Health Office). For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at [email protected]

Currently, all power-driven harbour and pleasure craft are required as a condition of their harbour or pleasure craft licences, to be fitted with either an IMO-compliant AIS Class A/B transponder or a MPA-approved HARTS transponder. To enhance navigation safety and security within the port of Singapore, the MPA will require all power-driven harbour and pleasure craft to be fitted with an IMO-compliant AIS Class A/B transponder 1 and an ECS 2. With effect from 1 January 2017, MPA-approved HARTS transponder will no longer be in service. MPA will be providing AIS-B transponders and ECSs (for craft with an electrical power supply) to existing power-driven harbour and pleasure craft registered before 1 July 2016.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has revoked the bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences of Hong Fatt Oil Trading Pte Ltd and Tankoil Marine Services Pte Ltd with effect from 9 February 2015. The two companies are no longer allowed to operate as bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators in the Port of Singapore. As part of MPA's ongoing regulatory efforts to ensure the safety, reliability and quality of bunker supplies in Singapore, routine checks were conducted last year on Hong Fatt Oil Trading Pte Ltd and Tankoil Marine Services Pte Ltd. MPA's separate investigations into the two companies revealed discrepancies and wrongful declarations in the records kept on board their bunker tankers.

As the world's leading bunkering port Singapore is to provide quality bunkering services to vessels lifting bunkers in the port. The use of the Mass Flow Metering (MFM) system for bunkering in the Port of Singapore will not only enhance transparency in the bunkering process, but also improve operational efficiency and increase the productivity of the bunker industry. As announced on 8 April 2014, MPA [Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore] will be mandating the use of an MPA-approved MFM system for Marine Fuel Oil (MFO) delivery in the Port of Singapore from 1 January 2017. All existing bunker tankers operating in port will be required to be fitted with an MPA-approved MFM for MFO delivery by 31 December 2016.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) states it has cancelled the bunker supplier licences of Excel Petroleum Enterprise Pte Ltd and Lian Hoe Leong & Brothers Pte Ltd with effect from 15 January 2014 for contravening the terms and conditions of the bunkering licences. Both companies were found to have breached Clause 3 of the terms and conditions of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Supplier) by allowing other companies to use their Bunker Delivery Notes to supply bunkers.

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular reminding the maritime community that the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention) comes into force on 21 November 2008. As of that date, ships having a gross tonnage greater than 1000 may only enter the port of Singapore if they carry on board a Bunker Convention Certificate (BCC) to attest that insurance or other financial security to cover liability for bunker oil pollution damage is in place. Note that oil tankers having a gross tonnage of greater than 1000, either carrying oil in bulk as cargo or with oil residues on board need not carry a BCC since they are already covered by the Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992 (CLC Convention).

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular revising the reporting procedures for notification of and confirmation of a vessel’s arrival in Singapore. Port Marine Circular No. 20 of 2008 is available at http://www.mpa.gov.sg/circulars_and_notices/pdfs/pc08-20.pdf. (Source: Holland & Knight)

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a Port Circular reminding owners, operators, and masters of the dangers of piracy and armed robbery against ships. Reference is made to an IMO Circular issued in 2002 providing guidance on preventing and suppressing such incidents. Ship security plans should take this guidance into account. Port Marine Circular No. 31 of 2003

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a Circular stating that, effective immediately, vessels of 300 GT or more and tugs engaged in towing or pushing if the combined GT of the tug and tow is 300 GT or more and any vessel carrying more than 12 passengers must submit a Notification of Arrival at least 12 hours prior to arrival. Vessels carrying hazardous and noxious substances in bulk must submit the Notification at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Upon arrival, all such vessels must submit a Confirmation of Arrival. Port Marine Circular No. 9 of 2004 (HK Law).

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a Circular stating that the 20% port dues concession for container ships has been extended through 30 June 2008. The concession does not apply to container ships staying in port for more than 10 days. Port Marine Circular No. 13 of 2006 Source: HK Law

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a Port Marine Circular