Singapore Passenger Vessel Sector to Receive Economic Aid
Economic relief is on its way for Singapore's passenger vessel owners and operators, as well as passenger terminal operators, who have seen a drop in passenger volumes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Heng Swee Keat, announced Thursday, as part of the Resilience Budget.The 50% port dues concession to passenger vessels from March 1 to August 31, announced by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's (MPA) in February, will extend for another four months until December 31, 2020.
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.
Majestic Fast Ferry Launches Between Singapore and Indonesia
Majestic Fast Ferry’s newest ferry, the Majestic Dream, set sail on a maiden voyage from Singapore Cruise Centre’s (SCC) HarbourFront terminal. The 11th vessel in Majestic Fast Ferry’s fleet will ply the operator’s existing routes between Singapore and the Riau Islands in Indonesia. It will serve passengers travelling to and from SCC’s HarbourFront and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore, Batam Center and Sekupang terminals in Batam as well as Tanjung Pinang in Bintan. The ferry was designed by Australian naval architect and engineering service firm Incat Crowther. It is the second series of ships built by Majestic Fast Ferry at its shipyard on Batam Island, following its first series comprising Majestic 7, 8 and 9.
MPA Conducts Ferry Evacuation Exercise To Test Emergency Preparedness
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) held a half-day ferry evacuation exercise today to test the readiness of various agencies to respond to potential ferry mishaps in the Port of Singapore. More than 150 personnel from eight agencies and companies took part in this exercise, which included deployment of resources at sea at the Small Craft Anchorage for rescue operations and at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT), the landing point for ‘rescued’ passengers. To practise the ferry crew on the passenger management and evacuation drills at sea, the exercise scenario involved an inbound regional ferry which struck an object and had taken in water while en route to TMFT.
SCC to Sponsor Upcoming Cruise Conference
Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific extend their welcome to Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) as the Gold Sponsor for the 2013 conference and tradeshow, taking place Oct 9-10, 2013 at the Marina Bay Sands Singapore. "We are delighted to have Singapore Cruise Centre be such a prominent part of our event," said Portfolio Director Daniel Read of UBM, the show's organizer. Singapore Cruise Center (SCC) is the island republic's premier cruise terminal operator, having been in the business for more than 21 years.
