Business

MPA urges port users to implement safety measures in ops during Northeast Monsoon

Winds around Singapore are expected to strengthen during Monsoon while sea conditions are expected to be choppy with moderate to heavy rain, says MPA.

Published

2 years ago

December 9, 2022

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has urged members of the public to exercise care and remain vigilant when at sea, in particular during the Northeast Monsoon.

The Northeast Monsoon has set in and is expected to last till March 2023. During this period, the winds around Singapore are expected to strengthen while the sea conditions are expected to be choppy with moderate to heavy rain.

MPA would also like to remind industry and port users to implement the necessary safety measures when conducting their operations.

For sea transport passengers and commuters, MPA would like to highlight the importance of exercising basic safety practices, including remaining seated during the passage, using handrails when embarking and disembarking between the craft and landing steps, and donning of lifejackets when boarding and alighting the vessels at sea.

Persons engaging in recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, skiing, sailing and surfing should check the weather forecast and tidal conditions before heading to sea. Additionally, pleasure craft boaters should wear life jackets for their personal safety, especially on open deck boats, as there is increased risk of falling overboard.

For port users, MPA would like to remind all owners, operators, masters and crew that ships and cargoes must be properly secured for sea and they must also ensure that their ships’ firefighting and life-saving equipment on board are in good working condition and in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations. Additionally, the crew must be familiar with safety procedures, including exercising safe speed, shipboard emergency procedures, and embarking and disembarking passengers, especially in strong wind conditions.

Masters must also remain alert while at anchor, keep a safe anchor watch, regularly check the weather conditions, ensure engines are ready for manoeuvring, and observe the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). When alongside, Masters and crew are to ensure that mooring lines are safely secured and tightened. Port users are also encouraged to wear life jackets for their personal safety when boarding and disembarking from ships at the anchorage.

Enhanced safety checks and measures by MPA

During this period, MPA will be stepping up safety checks and measures. MPA inspectors will conduct additional spot checks on ferries, harbour and pleasure craft. Besides the inspections on the general condition of the vessels, the inspectors will also focus on the embarking and disembarking process, the state of firefighting and life-saving equipment on board, and operators’ familiarity with emergency procedures.

Captain Chong Jia Chyuan, Port Master of MPA, said, “Safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone must play their part to ensure that both operations and recreation at sea remain safe, especially during the monsoon period. Accidents often happen when complacency sets in. Do not leave anything to chance as the sea conditions can change very quickly. Be prepared and stay alert whenever you are at sea”.

MPA-Industry Partnership to Enhance Safety at Sea

The National Maritime Safety at Sea Council (NMSSC), which serves as an advisory body to MPA on maritime safety matters, has also been working with various MPA-industry safety work groups to enhance safety at sea. In August 2022, two safety forums were organised as part of International Safety@Sea Week to share with the pleasure craft community about best practices to avoid incidents at sea and to engage the harbour craft industry on how operators could instil a strong safety culture.

The NMSSC and MPA-Harbour Craft Safety Work Group also worked with MPA and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council to produce a video on the safe boarding of vessels and a booklet on safety measures when working in and around water based on various case studies. MPA has put up the safety video and posters at Marina South Pier and West Coast Pier to raise awareness of maritime safety. The resources are also available online at www.safetyatseaweek.gov.sg/resources.

Mr Ishak Ismail, Chairman of NMSSC, said: “The video on safe boarding of vessels and case studies booklet to better support maritime shore-based personnel who board ships at anchorages and those working in and around water, are good examples of how the NMSSC works with the industry to push the safety agenda alongside MPA. At the end of the day, we want to build a strong safety culture amongst our maritime companies and workers and develop good safety habits so everyone can go home safely to their loved ones.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 9 December, 2022

LNG Bunkering

Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

MPA is seeking proposals to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and e/bio-methane supply as a marine fuel.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

MPA said LNG bunkering in Singapore has grown from 16,000 tonnes delivered in 2022 to over 385,000 tonnes delivered from January to October 2024.

According to the EOI, demand for LNG bunkering is expected to grow further with a growing global fleet of LNG dual-fuelled vessels and competitive LNG bunker prices.

“The EOI seeks to gather proposals on three areas: to scale up sea-based reloading operations, including ship-to-bunker barge LNG operations; to facilitate the supply of LNG alternatives such as liquefied bio-methane; and to develop floating platform concepts to enhance bunkering safety and efficiency,” MPA added.

“The EOI proposals should also include mitigation measures to address the issue of methane slip on a well-to-wake basis.”

Participants in the EOI do not need to be an existing LNG bunkering licensee. Participants are required to propose models for operationalising sea-based LNG reloading starting from 2025. Participants selected will be required to conduct trials in Singapore to validate the proposed solution’s operational feasibility and safety.

“Insights gained from the EOI and trials will inform MPA’s review of the LNG licensing framework, including enhancements to supply to better serve the industry’s bunkering needs,” it said.

Note: Interested parties can visit the MPA website for details and submission guidelines. Proposals must be submitted by 28 February 2025, 1pm (Singapore time).

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 December, 2024

Events

Malaysia: 12th PorTech Asia Summit to bring together leaders in port industry

Event, which will be held on 9 to 10 January, will tackle important topics in the port industry including challenges and opportunities for Asian Port Industry as well as sustainable green development of ports.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

Malaysia: 12th PorTech Asia Summit to bring together leaders in port industry

The 12th PorTech Asia Summit is now just one month away, with doors opening at Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 9 to 10 of January.

The summit is organised and hosted by Shine Consultant and co-organised by ASEAN Ports Association (APA).

Themed Smart, Green, Multi-win, the summit will gather leaders and experts in the field of port technology around the world to discuss and promote the innovation and development of the port industry in the digital era.

Some speakers who were invited to share their unique insights and valuable experiences in their respective fields include:

Dato' Monaliza Binti Suhaimi, General Manager, Johor Port Authority
YBhg. Dato' Dr. Vijayaindiaran A/LR.Viswalingam, General Manager, Penang Port Commission
Uematsu Hisataka, President, Port of Yokohama, Japan
Vineet Mahajan, Vice President & Head of Sustainability, DP World APAC
Liu Chang Man, Vice President, Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd
Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority and Deendayal Port Authority
Mazlim Bin Husin, Chief Commercial Officer, Kuantan Port
Mohd Khairul Azizat Johari, Head of Facility Management, Johor Port Berhad, Malaysia
Budi Cahyono, Vice President Director, PT Jakarta International Container Terminal
Eun-kyoung Park, General Manager, Overseas Business Department, Busan Port Authority
Ivan Fantin, Vice President, Chief Lean Officer, APM Terminals, Maersk
Desmond Ong, Chief Digital Officer, Jurong Port, Singapore

Agenda

Day 1: 9 January

Session 1: Challenges and Opportunities for Asian Port Industry

Session 2: Blending Old and New: Port Construction and Upgrade Projects

Day 2: 10 January

Session 3 Forum: Efficiency Improvement and Business Innovation Driven by Digital Intelligence

Session 4 Forum: Green & Safety - Building Sustainable Development Capacity of Ports

Shine Consultant is inviting representatives from government and port authorities, industry associations, port terminal owners, digital solution providers, port machinery and equipment suppliers, research institutions, professional service organizations, and other relevant institutions to attend the summit.

Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with industry leaders and jointly explore the future trends and innovative pathways of the port industry.

Interested parties may contact:

Jenny Wu
Tel: (86 21) 6095 7179
E-mail: [email protected]
Company: Shine Consultant International Ltd.

Or scan QR code to register. Interested parties may also register here.

qr code portech

Photo credit: Shine Consultant
Published: 13 December, 2024

LNG Bunkering

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Firm will supply cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel currently being built at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, on Friday (13 December) said it has won a contract to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel.

The vessel is being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China, for global energy company Vitol.

“Wärtsilä’s ability to engineer, design and deliver a complete system, including the Boil-Off Gas (BOG) management, integrated fuel supply, custody transfer and bunkering transfer systems, was central to the contract award,” Wärtsilä said, adding the order was booked by the company in Q4, 2024.

Richie Zhu, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, China, said: “LNG is today an important marine fuel and is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for owners and operators seeking more sustainable fuel options. The market for LNG bunkering vessels is increasing in line with this trend, and we have established a leading position in supplying modern and reliable systems that optimise overall cargo handling efficiency for such vessels.”

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol securing three LNG Bunkering Vessels (LNGBV) through its shipping company, Vitol International Shipping Pte Ltd (VIS).

The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir) and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Nantong, China.

The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000 m3 LNGBV. The time charter will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in Q4 2026 and will serve a period of seven years with options to extend up to ten years in total.

Vitol also ordered one 12,500 m3 and one 20,000 m3 LNGBV at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China. The vessels will be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q3 2027 respectively.

Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Published: 13 December, 2024