Business

Commencement of Vaccinated Travel Lane by sea from Indonesia from 25 February

Designated VTL (Sea) ferry services between TMFT and NIFT/BBTFT operated by regional ferry firms Batam Fast and Bintan Resort Ferries respectively.

Published

3 years ago

February 17, 2022

Admin

Singapore will be launching the first Vaccinated Travel Lane arrangement via sea (VTL (Sea)) from Batam and Bintan in Indonesia, as part of its efforts to gradually restore transport connectivity, according to a Wednesday (16 February) notice from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Currently, Indonesia allows travellers from Singapore to travel under its travel bubble to Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal (NIFT) in Batam and Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal (BBTFT) in Bintan, without the need for quarantine. Singapore will now offer VTL (Sea) from Batam and Bintan to facilitate bi-directional quarantine-free travel.

Fully vaccinated travellers from Batam and Bintan may enter Singapore under the VTL (Sea) from 25 February 2022, and applications for the Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP (Sea)) will open on 22 February 2022, 1000 hours (Singapore time).

For a start, the VTL (Sea) will allow up to 350 travellers weekly from NIFT in Batam, and another 350 travellers weekly from BBTFT in Bintan to Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT). The designated VTL (Sea) ferry services between TMFT and NIFT/ BBTFT will be operated by regional ferry operators Batam Fast and Bintan Resort Ferries respectively.

All travellers entering Singapore’s TMFT under the VTL (Sea) with Batam and Bintan must comply with VTL (Sea) travel requirements, which is aligned with prevailing requirements for travel under VTL (Air):

Travel History

VTL (Sea) travellers must have remained only in (including any transit stops) one or more of the VTL countries including Indonesia, or a country/region in Category I of the Singapore Ministry of Health’s Country/Region Classification for Border Measures in the last 7 consecutive days prior to departure for Singapore. If the traveller has been in Singapore within those last 7 days, his/her stay in Singapore can be counted towards fulfilling this 7-day travel history requirement.

Testing

All VTL (Sea) travellers must take two COVID-19 tests:

A pre-departure test, which must be a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or professionally administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART)[1], within two days[2] before departing for Singapore and obtain a negative test result.
An on-arrival supervised ART test at Quick Test Centres[3] or Combined Test Centres within 24 hours of arrival and remain self-isolated until their test result is confirmed to be negative.

Children aged two years and below in the calendar year[4] are not required to undergo these tests.

Vaccination

All VTL (Sea) travellers must be fully vaccinated[5], and produce a physical or digital proof of vaccination recognised by the Singapore authorities. The following proofs of vaccination are accepted for travel under the VTL (Sea):

Vaccination certificates issued in the EU DCC format by the EU Member States or by non-EU Member States that have joined the EU DCC system; or
A digital proof of vaccination issued in any VTL country or Singapore that can be recognised by the Singapore authorities.

To facilitate a smooth arrival process in Singapore, all VTL (Sea) travellers are strongly encouraged to submit their health declaration via the SG Arrival Card e-service prior to departure for Singapore.

Designated VTL (Sea) Ferry Services

Travellers who are travelling to Singapore under the VTL (Sea) must travel only on designated VTL (Sea) ferry services from NIFT/ BBTFT to TMFT.

Additional Entry Requirements for Short-Term Visitors

Short-term visitors will need to apply for a VTP (Sea) to enter Singapore under the VTL (Sea). Fully vaccinated Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, Long-Term Pass Holders (except work permit holders)[6] and children aged 12 years and below in the calendar year do not need to apply for a VTP (Sea) to enter Singapore under the VTL (Sea).

Short-term visitors who require a visa for travel to Singapore must separately obtain a visa. These travellers are advised to apply for their visa after receiving their VTP (Sea) approval and before departing for Singapore. They must also:

purchase travel insurance, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 for COVID-19 related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs, prior to travel to Singapore,
show proof of a hotel booking confirmation and payment for the duration of their stay in Singapore,

present a return ferry ticket corresponding to the duration of their hotel stay in Singapore, and

use the TraceTogether app in Singapore to facilitate contact tracing.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be facilitating the VTL (Sea) operations. Details of the VTL (Sea) requirements into Singapore and applications for the VTP (Sea) will be available at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg from 22 February 2022. Applicants who need assistance with the VTP (Sea) applications can write to the Safe Travel Office through its enquiry form at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/contact-us or call the SafeTravel Enquiries helpline at +65 6812 5555 from 22 February 2022.

All travellers entering Singapore must comply with the prevailing health and safe distancing measures in Singapore.

References

[1] The ART must be performed by trained professionals such as medical professionals and Government-recognised trained professionals.
[2] To illustrate, if the pre-departure test is taken on 23 February 2022, it will be valid up to 25 February 2022, 2359 hours.
[3] Please refer to https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/testcentre for more details on the Quick Test Centres and Combined Test Centres.
[4] To illustrate, children born in or after 2020 entering Singapore under the VTL (Sea) in 2022 are not required to undergo the pre-departure or on-arrival COVID-19 tests.
[5] An individual is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after he/she has received the full regimen of any World Health Organisation Emergency Use Listing vaccines.
[6] As announced on 4 December 2021, work permit holders in the construction, marine shipyard or process (CMP) sector or staying in dormitories are not allowed to enter Singapore via VTL. Other work permit holders (including migrant domestic workers) should continue to apply for a VTP to enter Singapore via VTL.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 17 February, 2022

LNG Bunkering

Japan: MOL’s third LNG-fuelled ferry “Sunflower Kamuy” starts operation in Oarai

“Sunflower Kamuy” will serve the Oarai-Tomakomai route between Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido as a replacement for the Sunflower Daisetsu, says MOL.

Published

24 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

Japan: MOL third LNG-fuelled ferry “Sunflower Kamuy” starts operation in Oarai

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) on Thursday (23 January) announced that the LNG-fuelled ferry Sunflower Kamuy, owned by MOL and operated by its group company MOL Sunflower, entered service in Oarai.

The vessel will be the third LNG-fuelled ferry operated by MOL Sunflower, following the Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki, which have been in service on the Osaka-Beppu route from 2023.

Sunflower Kamuy will serve the Oarai-Tomakomai route between Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido as a replacement for the Sunflower Daisetsu.

Along with the sister vessel Sunflower Pirka, scheduled to enter service in early summer 2025, MOL Sunflower will operate a fleet of four LNG-fuelled ferries on the Oarai-Tomakomai route and the Osaka-Beppu route within 2025.

MOL Sunflower operates 10 ferries and 4 RoRo vessels on six routes throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, providing service for both logistics and passengers in Japan.

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Published: 24 January, 2025

Winding up

Singapore: Notice of preferential dividend issued for Asia-Pacific Shipyard

Creditors will need to submit proofs to liquidators of Asia-Pacific Shipyard Pte Ltd by 6 February, according to a Government Gazette notice.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

A notice of preferential dividend for Otto Marine Limited, which is in liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (9 September).

The following are details of the notice:

Name of Company : Asia-Pacific Shipyard Pte Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No./Registration No. : 197300183MAddress of Registered Office : 8 Wilkie Road, #03-08 Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095

Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 6 February 2025

Name of Liquidators : Ng Kian Kiat and Yap Hui Li

Address of Liquidators : c/o RSM SG Corporate Advisory Pte. Ltd., 8 Wilkie Road #03-08, Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 24 January, 2024

LNG Bunkering

SEA-LNG report: Number of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation up by over 33% in 2024

Based on its latest ‘View from the Bridge’ report, SEA-LNG reported an annual vessel growth of over 33% to 638 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation worldwide in 2024.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

SEA-LNG report: Number of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation up by over 33% in 2024

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Thursday (24 January) reported an annual vessel growth of over 33% to 638 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation worldwide in 2024.

This was one of the findings of SEA-LNG’s annual ‘View from the Bridge’ report, highlighting 2024 as another year of growth for the LNG pathway.

Analysing data from SEA-LNG members, the report found that global market adoption and growth reached record heights in 2024.

Looking forward, over 1,200 vessels are expected to be operating by the end of 2028. In 2024, LNG dual-fuelled vessels accounted for 70% of alternative fuelled tonnage ordered, excluding LNG Carriers, up from 43% in 2023.

This record expansion follows the growing availability of LNG bunker fuel beyond the traditional bunkering hubs. Currently, LNG bunkers are accessible in approximately 198 ports worldwide, and plans are underway for bunkering facilities in an additional 78 ports. This comes as over 60 LNG bunkering vessels are operating today, marking a 22% increase from 2023.

The ‘View from the Bridge’ report also highlights how the LNG pathway took a significant step in 2024, with liquified biomethane delivering on decarbonisation and regular renewable e-methane supplies expected in 2026.

SEA-LNG members are prepared to offer biomethane bunkers in some 70 ports globally, with multiple bunkering operations already taking place.

A highlight was the successful biomethane bunkering pilot as part of the Methane Track within the Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). This was the first practical delivery of any international Green Corridor since they were announced as part of the Clydebank Declaration at COP 26 in Glasgow.

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, said: “Our latest View from the Bridge reaffirms the importance of the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic route to shipping’s decarbonisation now. We continue to believe that the shipping industry is heading towards a successful multi-fuel future where LNG will always play a critical role.”

“To deliver net zero by 2050 across the global shipping fleet, a basket of fuels is required and the LNG pathway will continue to lead the way. This is not a case of my fuel versus your fuel but rather which fuel best allows the industry to reach its stated goals. The LNG pathway provides the path to net zero.”

SEA-LNG’s latest report also highlights that 2024 has seen considerable progress in addressing methane slip. “Advances in eliminating methane slip, in combination with biomethane and e-methane, provide a clear, effective, and viable long-term pathway towards net zero emissions. Shipowners and operators can be confident that the vessels ordered today are future-proofed for their lifespan.”

“With a proven track record of technical improvements to reduce methane slip and upstream emissions, coupled with tighter regulations from global and regional authorities, we continue to believe methane slip will be a non-issue by the end of this decade,” Keller continued.

FuelEU Maritime will be a key regulation in advancing shipping industry decarbonisation, heading into 2025. According to analysis from SEA-LNG, FuelEU Maritime creates a favourable environment for the LNG pathway.

With the ability to achieve GHG emissions reductions of up to 23%, LNG-fuelled vessels are compliant until 2039. The use of liquefied biomethane and e-methane can extend compliance through to 2050 and beyond.

Note: The full report is available for download here.

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 24 January, 2025