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MPA: Maritime Single Windows mandated for all ports from 1 January 2024

MSW provides a one-stop service environment that consolidates the electronic submission of all info required for port calls, such that they only need to be provided once and transmitted to stakeholders.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Friday (5 January) said it has been mandated that port authorities have to establish, maintain and use single window systems to electronically exchange info needed for the arrival, stay and departure of ships in ports.

This comes following the International Maritime Organization Facilitation (FAL) Committee resolution FAL.14(46) coming into force on 1 January, according to MPA Chief Executive Eng Dih Teo. 

A Maritime Single Window (MSW) provides a one-stop service environment that consolidates the electronic submission of all info required for port calls, such that they only need to be provided once, and thereafter transmitted to the stakeholders across the value chain including shipping lines, port authorities, customs and other government agencies.

“The exchange of data between stakeholders avoids duplicate submissions, reduces the admin burden on workers and improves efficiency of port operations,” he said. 

To facilitate vessel calls at the Port of Singapore, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched its MSW, digitalPORT@SGᵀᴹ, in 2019. digitalPORT@SGᵀᴹ streamlines vessel, immigration and health clearances across multiple agencies by consolidating 16 forms into a single submission, saving up to 100,000 man-hours per year. 

In October 2023, MPA launched the Just-In-Time Planning and Coordination Platform which provides advance info of vessel arrival schedules, allowing them to maintain an optimal operating speed to reduce dwell times in port, leading to faster turnaround times, costs and emission savings.

Drawing from Singapore’s experience with digitalPORT@SGᵀᴹ, MPA worked with the IMO on the Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) project, which helped to exchange experiences with other ports, and build an MSW for the Port of Lobito in Angola. The MSW was handed over to Angola in Nov 2023, which can improve its port efficiency.

“As ports across the world embark on their digital transformation, we can expect shipping to be safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable – especially to support the growth of global trade and supply chain connectivity in the coming years,” Eng added.

Related: IMO: Maritime Single Windows becomes mandatory for all ports from 1 January 2024
Related: digitalPORT@SG – MPA implementing JIT Platform for Port of Singapore
Related: MPA gives notice on scheduled maintenance of port clearance portal digitalPORT@SG
Related: MPA invites bunker fuel suppliers, shipping community for digitalPORT@SG training sessions
Related: SMW 2021: digitalPORT@SGTM Phase 2 launched to reduce carbon footprint at port

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 5 January, 2024

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Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

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July 21, 2026

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Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July). 

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions. 

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years

 

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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