Singapore: MPA alerts maritime sector to potential reduced visibility amid haze

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (14 October) issued Port Marine Circular No. 138 of 2026 to alert the maritime community on the haze situation and that visibility in the Singapore Strait and port waters could be significantly reduced:

On 14 Oct 2026, the National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore issued a haze situation update that the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was 203 (Very Unhealthy range) in the West region of Singapore.

Shipping, Harbour Craft and Pleasure Craft communities, shipowners, shipping agents, terminal operators and marine service providers are advised to monitor the PSI levels through NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), the haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg) or the myENV mobile app.

Employers are to implement Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) necessary precautions and measures to ensure the health and safety of their workers at the workplace. Guidelines for employers for protecting their employees from the effects of haze can be found on MOM website (www.mom.gov.sg/haze).

The visibility in the Singapore Strait and port waters could be significantly reduced in the event of haze. During periods of restricted visibility, shipmasters are advised to keep a proper lookout and navigate with caution. They are also advised to comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and in particular Rule No. 19, Rule No. 20 and Rule 35 concerning conduct of vessels in restricted visibility, exhibition of navigation lights and sound signals in restricted visibility, respectively.

In the interest of safety of navigation and life at sea, the Port Master may restrict the movement of harbour craft and pleasure craft in the port waters during reduced visibility conditions.

Related: Singapore: MPA urges maritime firms to prepare for potential haze with plan

Photo credit: Alex Gindin on Unsplash
Published: 15 October, 2026