Singapore: MPA releases revised guidelines to prevent bunkering related oil spills

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (22 March) issued Port Marine Circular No. 6 of 2023 which explains revised guidelines to be observed for bunkering operations to prevent bunkering related oil spills: 

GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTING POLLUTION DURING BUNKERING OPERATIONS

This circular supersedes Port Marine Circular No. 13 of 2019.

This circular is a reminder to all vessels that are supplying and receiving bunkers in the Port of Singapore. Bunkering related oil spills are generally due to operational lapses and could be prevented if all the necessary precautions are taken. Please observe the revised guidelines (ANNEX A) and checks (ANNEX B) before and during bunkering operations.

MPA would also like to draw the attention of ship masters and bunker craft operators to Regulation 7 of the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act which states the following:

Prohibition of discharge of oil and oily mixtures from ships

7(1) If any discharge of oil or oily mixture occurs from a Singapore ship into any part of the sea or from any ship into Singapore waters, the master, the owner and the agent of the ship shall each be guilty of an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $1 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

To report any incidents related to bunkering operation including bunker oil pollution, please contact the Marine Safety Control Centre (Tel: 6325-2488/2489, VHF Ch 07).

Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to either Capt Andrew Leong (Tel: 6325 2478, email: [email protected]) or MPA Marine Safety Control Centre (Tel: 6325 2488/2489, email: [email protected]).

Note: The full copy Port Marine Circular No. 6 of 2023, Annex A and B can be found here. 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 March, 2023