Singapore Readies 'Floating Hotels' for Workers as Coronavirus Spreads
Singapore is preparing to house hundreds of foreign workers in accommodation vessels typically used for offshore and marine industry staff as it races to find alternatives to dormitories where the novel coronavirus has been spreading rapidly.Tens of thousands of migrant workers, many from South Asia, live in cramped dormitories across Singapore, which have become the biggest source of coronavirus infections in recent days.Authorities are moving some of the healthy residents of those facilities to other sites including military campsâŚ
Singapore: Drill on Ferry Safety
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) held a ferry emergency exercise (FEREX) at the Regional Ferry Terminal (RFT) at Harbourfront. The FEREX tests the readiness of around 250 personnel from 10 government agencies, three ferry operators and Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd in response to ferry mishaps. A total of 13 vessels and an RSAF helicopter were deployed for the exercise.Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, was also present to observe the exercise.The exercise simulated the evacuation of 150 passengers on board a regional ferry, and for the first time, a medical evacuation was conducted.
Global Maritime Community Strengthen Co-Operation in SOMS
More than 180 participants from around 80 maritime administrations and organisations, as well as embassies in Singapore, attended the 11th Co-operation Forum yesterday (September 24), where they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS).The Co-operation Forum is one of the three pillars of the Co-operative Mechanism on Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in the SOMS. It is the main avenue for the three littoral States (Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore) of the SOMS and the international maritime community to engage in dialogue, exchange information and share perspectives on important issues relating to the SOMS.Khaw Boon WanâŚ
New Study Looks at LNG Bunkering for Car Carriers
To help promote liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering in Asia, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Ports and Harbors Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) will helm a working group to conduct a feasibility study on LNG bunkering for car carriers plying between Japan and Singapore. This working group will include Japanâs big three shippers â Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).
Singapore, Japan Feasibility Study LNG-Fuelled Car Carriers
To promote LNG bunkering in Asia, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Ports and Harbours Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) will helm a working group to conduct a feasibility study on LNG bunkering for car carriers plying between Japan and Singapore. This working group will include Japanâs big three shippers â Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). The study will focus on the technical details such as fuel tank capacities and refuelling requirements to assess the feasibility of running LNG-fuelled car carriers between Japan and Singapore. The joint feasibility study was announced at the inaugural Singapore and Japan Port Seminar 2017 held in Singapore today.
CMA CGM, PSA Container Terminal JV in Singapore
The CMA CGM Group and PSA have kicked off the second phase of their container terminal joint venture in Singapore. Officiating the event were François Hollande, President of the French Republic, and Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Singapore. The CMA CGM - PSA Lion Terminal (CPLT) started operations with two mega container berths at PSA Singaporeâs Pasir Panjang Terminal 5 (PPT 5) that had an initial annual capacity of 2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in July 2016. With the addition of two more berths under Phase 2 of its development, CPLT is now equipped with a total operating capacity of 4 million TEUs.
Singapore: Ferry Emergency Exercise Tests Multi-Agenciesâ Readiness
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) held a half-day emergency preparedness exercise, codenamed âFEREX 2016â yesterday (September 02). The annual ferry exercise (FEREX) aims to test the readiness of various agencies to respond to ferry mishaps in the Port of Singapore. More than 450 personnel from 15 agencies and companies took part in this full deployment exercise which included deployment of resources at sea at the Western Anchorage for rescue operations, manning of emergency operations centre at MPAâs Port Operations Control Centre, and landing of casualties and rescued persons at Harbourfront Centre Terminal. The exercise was observed by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for TransportâŚ
Singapore to Focus on Improving Navigational Safety
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched the first-ever International Safety@Sea Conference in Singapore. The conference will run for two days and concludes on 31 August 2016. Held as part of Safety@Sea Week, over 30 international speakers and industry experts from different sectors of the maritime industry came together to share best safety at sea practices with more than 350 local and international participants. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure & Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan officiated the opening ceremony and announced that MPA will establish a âCommunity of Practiceâ (CoP) comprising international maritime administrationsâŚ
Singaporeâs Mega Terminal Construction Kicks Off
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has started the construction of a new container terminal at the western end of the island to replace existing container port facilities and consolidate operations for the long term. The first phase of the Tuas Terminal project will have 20 deepwater berths with an initial capacity to handle an annual traffic of 20 million twenty-foot-container equivalent units (TEUs), rising to 65 million TEUs when completed by 2046. The start of construction was marked on Friday by Singaporeâ Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan with the launching the first caisson.
Singapore Reaffirms Anti-Piracy Role
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Thursday reaffirmed its support for Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP), highlighting the "instrumental role" the organisation has played in addressing piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. The MPA, host to the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC), notes that ReCAAP's membership has risen from 14 contracting parties in 2006 to 20 this year, a development that the MPA says is a testament to the organisation's persisting relevance and importance in the region's efforts in anti-piracy. Andrew added: "Singapore will continue to invest in efforts to enhance the safety and security of waterways in the region.
Singapore's Sops to Ailing Shipping
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singaporehas announced an additional 10 per cent concession on port dues for container vessels calling in Singapore, with port stays of up to five days, to help the shipping industry tide over the current economic downturn. MPA said that the additional concession will be in place for one year, and will be granted on top of existing port dues concessions such as the Green Port Programme incentives and the 20 per cent concession first introduced in 1996. The additional concession will be effective on Friday. In all, these concessions are expected to amount to more than S$17 million in annual savings for container lines, the MPA said in a media release.
Singapore To Hold International Bunkering Conference
The 12th Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) 2002, to be held from September 26-28, 2002 at the Shangri-La, Singapore, will be officially opened by Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Senior Minister of State for Transport, and Information, Communications & the Arts on 26 Sep 2002. Khaw would also be delivering the opening address for the ceremony. This biennial event will bring together some 25 maritime and marine fuel experts from around the world to speak on the latest international trends and developments in bunkering, and the challenges facing the industry. They represent the oil majors, shipping lines, bunker traders, bunker suppliers, and classification societies.