Business

Singapore: MPA introduces enhanced precautions for shore personnel and crew

At present, no crew and passengers are allowed to disembark in Singapore, crew change is not permitted, and all suspected COVID-19 cases will be tested.

Published

6 years ago

March 24, 2020

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Monday (23 March) issued guidelines and enhanced safety precautions for shore personnel and visiting crew carry out duties safely in view of the COVID-19 pandemic:

ADVISORY FOR SHORE PERSONNEL AND SHIP CREW VISITING OR WORKING ONBOARD VESSELS ALONGSIDE WHARVES, IN SHIPYARDS AND AT ANCHORAGES

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation is being monitored closely, and Singapore continues to take a calibrated and risk-based approach in determining the appropriate precautions and measures. From 23 Mar 2359H, crew and passengers on short term visits will not be allowed to disembark in Singapore for the time being. Crew change in Singapore is also disallowed for the time being. In addition, the port health office (PHO) requires all arriving vessels to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) Form. Precautionary Measures for Vessels

MPA has taken the following enhanced measures for vessels arriving Singapore:

All crew members are advised to take their temperature twice daily;
All crew members are advised to maintain good hygiene in accommodation areas by cleaning frequently touched surfaces (e.g. desks, door handles, switches, telephones, etc).
Shipmasters should isolate unwell crew and passengers.
Shipmasters are required to report unwell crew/passengers to MPA and NEA’s Port Health Office (PHO), and make the necessary arrangements to seek medical attention.
Shipmasters should follow the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) guidance for disinfecting common areas and rooms.

All suspected cases of COVID-19 crew/passengers will be assessed and/or tested for COVID-19. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 on board any vessel, PHO will quarantine the vessel at a designated anchorage or wharf, and in consultation with MOH provide the quarantine requirements for the crew and passengers. During the quarantine period, operations will not be allowed until the quarantine is lifted. If there is a need for any critical operation, PHO’s approval will be required and all persons working onboard will be required to don the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include surgical gowns, masks and gloves.

If there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board vessels, there is no restriction on operations. Precautionary Measures for Marine Service Providers

Notwithstanding the above measures and in consultation with Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), marine service providers should consider the following additional precautionary measures when there is a need for interaction between the shore personnel and ship crew when conducting operations:

Carry out daily temperature checks at least twice a day, this is applicable for both ship crew and shore personnel.
Do not work if unwell. Wear a mask if having respiratory symptoms such as a cough or runny nose, avoid close contact with others, and seek medical help early.
Observe good personal hygiene and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Practice frequent hand washing with soap.
Practice respiratory hygiene (cover coughs and sneezes with flexed elbow or tissue, discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash hands).
Avoid shaking hands and adopt other non-contact greeting methods.
Reduce ship-shore activities by reducing ship-shore exchanges, internal and external audits, non-essential maintenance and other nonessential activities.
Strengthen gangway or ladder control by implementing stricter ISPS procedures. This includes enhancing the stairway control, checking the credentials of all personnel boarding the ship, and checking their temperatures and logging it. If any shore personnel are suspected to have flu-like symptoms, access should be denied. Maintain a log of movements of all persons for the purposes of contact tracing.
Minimise unnecessary interactions between the ship crew and shore personnel, and refrain from prolonged interactions in close proximity. Unnecessary boarding visits should be prohibited (eg. limit unnecessary entry of agents, tally, foremen, suppliers and other foreign personnel into the crew living area to reduce ship-shore exchanges).
Only essential ship crew and shore personnel to be in the same work area if necessary, which has to be well ventilated at all times. Keep a distance of at least 1 metre between persons in group interactions, and keep the group small (not more than 10 persons).
Conduct briefings and completion of paperwork through electronic means as far as possible.
Use the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include surgical gowns, masks and gloves, if it is assessed that there is an imminent risk of being in contact with a person infected with COVID-19.

The above list of precautionary measures are not exhaustive, and companies/individuals may wish to take other reasonable precautionary measures.

Owners/managers/supervisors of marine services companies are to take note of all available health advisories and bring it to the attention of your organisation and employees. While we note that companies may wish to implement additional preventive measures in line with their respective company policies, they must ensure that any such measures implemented have to be in compliance with prevailing standards/procedures applicable in the Port of Singapore.

We thank all stakeholders for the continuous efforts in ensuring that Singapore’s port operations remain un-interrupted and efficient. We also urge all to remain vigilant, resolute and united in tackling the COVID-19 situation.

The full circular from the MPA is available here .

Photo credit: JeyHan Lau
Published: 24 March, 2020

Mass Flowmeter

MFM-equipped CPN barge first listed under Hong Kong quality bunker scheme

Chimbusco Pan Nation’s bunker barge “Zhong Ran 23” has become the first vessel in Hong Kong listed on Marine Department’s official List of Quality Bunker Vessels, under a newly-launched scheme.

Published

44 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Admin

MFM-equipped CPN barge first listed under Hong Kong quality bunker scheme

Hong Kong-based marine fuel supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation (CPN) on Tuesday (16 June) announced that its bunker barge Zhong Ran 23 has become the first vessel in Hong Kong listed on the Marine Department’s official List of Quality Bunker Vessels.

The list under the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme launched on 3 June.

“The Scheme is a voluntary initiative designed to raise the standard of bunkering accuracy, transparency, and service quality in Hong Kong,” CPN said in a social media post.

“To be listed, a bunker vessel must have its Mass Flow Meter (MFM) system independently certified under ISO 22192, the international benchmark for mass flow metering in bunkering operations.”

CPN added it has operated the MFM system across our fleet of fuel oil barges since 2015.

Manifold Times previously reported Hong Kong’s Marine Department (MD) launching the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems (MFM systems) on their bunker vessels.

MD said the scheme aims to enhance Hong Kong’s bunkering service quality and the competitiveness of Hong Kong ports, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and a major bunkering port.

Under the Scheme, bunker operators of traditional maritime fuel and biodiesel that install and use MFM systems on their bunker vessels, with the MFM systems inspected and certified by an accredited body in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 22192 Standard or equivalent requirements, can apply to the MD for inclusion in the scheme’s “List of Quality Bunker Vessels”, provided they meet the relevant technical and operational requirements.

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation
Published: 17 June, 2026

Financial Result

Bunker Holding exceeds FY2025/26 forecast despite geopolitical headwinds

Bunker Holding delivered a gross profit of USD 424 million and a profit before tax of USD 73 million, exceeding the Group’s expectations for the year.

Published

46 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Admin

Bunker Holding on Tuesday (16 June) said it delivered a strong performance in the financial year 2025/2026 despite continued uncertainty across global markets.

The year was shaped by geopolitical developments, evolving trade flows, periods of heightened market volatility, and strong competition.

These conditions were further amplified by developments in the Middle East, which added complexity across global energy markets and shipping routes.

In response, Bunker Holding focused on getting closer to customers and understanding the different challenges faced across shipping segments. This enabled faster decision-making, greater agility under pressure, and allowed the Group to respond effectively while continuing to support customers reliably.

Against this backdrop, Bunker Holding delivered a gross profit of USD 424 million and a profit before tax of USD 73 million, exceeding the Group’s expectations for the year. Equity increased to USD 342 million.

Revenue amounted to USD 13.1 billion, a decrease of 4% compared to the previous year. The decline primarily reflected lower average oil prices during the financial year, despite periods of heightened market volatility and stronger pricing towards the end of the period.

“This year, we have taken important steps to strengthen Bunker Holding for the future. We have simplified parts of the organisation, brought teams closer together, and made the changes needed to make us more focused and efficient. Our markets remained challenging and unpredictable, but I am pleased with both the result we have delivered and the progress we have made,” said Peder Møller, CEO of Bunker Holding.

Looking ahead to 2026/27, Bunker Holding anticipates intense market competition alongside continued investments in low- and zero-carbon fuel projects and partnerships.

Changes to the Board of Directors

Bunker Holding said the company is strengthening its Board of Directors with the appointment of several new members and a new Chairman of the Board.

Nina Østergaard, CEO and co-owner of USTC, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board, while Henrik Andersen, Group President and CEO of Vestas Wind Systems A/S, will join as Vice Chairman. Tina Revsbech, CEO of Maersk Tankers, and Kenneth Steengaard, Chairman of the Board of Global Risk Management, will join the Board as new members.

At the same time, current Chairman Klaus Nyborg and Board member Peter Frederiksen will step down from the Board.

Nina Østergaard, incoming Chairman of the Board, said: “I am excited to take on the role as Chairman of Bunker Holding at an important time in the company’s development. Bunker Holding has a strong market position, a clear strategic direction, and significant opportunities ahead. I am also pleased to welcome Henrik Andersen, Tina Revsbech, and Kenneth Steengaard to the Board. They each bring valuable experience and perspectives, and I am particularly pleased that we have attracted such strong international profiles as Henrik and Tina, whose leadership experience from Vestas and Maersk Tankers will further strengthen the Board and support the company’s continued development.”

The addition of Kenneth Steengaard moves Bunker Holding closer to its sister-company Global Risk Management and adds important insight into risk management.

Bunker Holding founder and co-owner Torben Østergaard-Nielsen thanked the departing Board members for their contributions to the company.

Photo credit: Bunker Holding
Published: 17 June, 2026

Business

Oilmar establishes Board of Directors amid international expansion

Three directors are Chief Executive Officer Yusif Mammadov, Chief Finance Officer Nain Shafi, and Legal, Credit and Compliance Head Taira Shikhiyeva.

Published

49 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Admin

Oilmar formalises Board of Directors amid international expansion

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar on Tuesday (16 June) announced the formal establishment of its Board of Directors, marking an important milestone in the company’s evolution.

The three directors are Chief Executive Officer Yusif Mammadov, Chief Finance Officer Nain Shafi, and Legal, Credit and Compliance Head Taira Shikhiyeva.

The formation of the Board was first communicated during Oilmar’s Q1 2026 Townhall as part of a wider governance enhancement initiative and has now been formally implemented.

The Board has been established to provide strategic direction, oversee risk management and governance matters, and support the company’s continued growth across its global operations.

“At inception, the Board comprises three Directors with extensive international experience across the energy, maritime, shipping, and commodity trading sectors. Together, they bring a wealth of industry knowledge and strategic expertise to support the company’s continued growth and development,” the company said.

“The Board is expected to be further strengthened through the appointment of additional Executive and Non-Executive Directors as the company continues to expand its international footprint.”

As part of the enhanced governance framework, strategic direction, risk appetite, and key business objectives will be determined at Board level, while regional management teams will remain responsible for execution within their respective markets. This structure strengthens accountability, promotes effective decision-making, and supports the Company’s long-term growth and succession objectives.

CEO Yusif Mammadov, said: “The establishment of the Board marks the next stage in Oilmar’s development as a global energy and marine fuels business. It creates a governance framework that will support our future growth, strengthen oversight across the organisation, and ensure that our strategic decisions are guided by long-term value creation and responsible risk management.”

Photo credit: Oilmar
Published: 17 June, 2026