Singapore-registered oil tankers requested to notify MPA on mid-ocean STS operations

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (20 December) issued Shipping Circular No. 16 of 2024 regarding ship-to-ship (STS) operations for Singapore-registered ships including notifying it prior to conducting a mid-ocean STS operation: 

Ship-to-ship (STS) Operations for Singapore-registered ships in relation to IMO Assembly Resolution A.1192(33)

This circular draws your attention to Resolution A.1192(33), adopted by the 33rd session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly on 6 December 2023, in Annex A.

Shipowners, ship managers, operators and masters of Singapore-registered ships are thus reminded to adhere to safety and pollution prevention requirements in IMO Conventions, especially regulations 19 and 19-1 of chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, and chapter 8 of Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), 1973, and comply with safe shipping standards.

Chapter 8 of Annex I of MARPOL 1973 requires any oil tanker involved in STS operations to carry on board an approved STS operations Plan. Where the STS operations are planned within the territorial sea, or the exclusive economic zone of a MARPOL 1973 member State, the oil tanker is required to notify that member State in advance of the planned STS operations.

Singapore-registered oil tankers planning to engage in mid-ocean STS operations are requested to update the ship’s STS operations plan to include a notification to MPA Shipping Division via email at [email protected] with the information in Annex B, prior to carrying out the mid-ocean STS operations.

Any queries relating to this circular should be emailed to [email protected].

Note: The full circular, including Annex A, can be viewed here.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 20 December, 2024