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

FuelEU

FincoEnergies launches pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance

FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable bio bunker fuels.

Published

9 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

GoodFuels biofuel supplier FincoEnergies on Wednesday (16 April) announced the launch of its FuelEU Pooling service, created to enable shipowners to meet FuelEU Maritime compliance in a cost-effective way.

FuelEU Maritime, effective from 1 January 2025, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships trading in the EU. For many operators, particularly those with limited access to low-carbon fuels, compliance can be both complex and costly.

Designed for shipowners, operators, charterers, and technical managers, FincoEnergies’ FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable biofuels, when these vessels are overcompliant and have ‘Surplus’ emission reduction available for allocation.

FincoEnergies also partnered with Lloyd’s Register (LR), who supported the development of the service. Their technical expertise has enabled shaping a solution that aligns with both regulatory requirements and FincoEnergies' established position as a biofuel supplier in the fuel supply chain.

“FuelEU Maritime represents one of the most important regulatory shifts for the shipping industry in decades,” said Alberto Perez, Global Head, Maritime Commercial Markets at LR. “By integrating technical expertise with strategic guidance, we ensure shipowners, operators, and suppliers not only comply with evolving emissions standards, but also proactively transform their operations, embracing new technologies and alternative fuels to ensure a sustainable and profitable future.”

“With a decade of experience in biofuel bunkers and carbon certificate trading in the voluntary market, we are excited to expand our creative and solution-oriented product portfolio with FuelEU Pooling,” said Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies.

“Thanks to our physical presence in the supply chain, shipping companies looking for FuelEU surplus can confidently rely on us as a trusted partner in their decarbonisation journey.”

Through its role as Pool Organiser, FincoEnergies streamlines the entire pooling process – from performing biofuel bunkers and prefinancing Surplus, to Surplus allocation and pool verification. With cost-effective pricing, FuelEU Pooling provides shipping companies with a competitive alternative for changing their fuel mix themselves.

Photo credit: FincoEnergies
Published: 21 April, 2025

ECA

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

In preparation of the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area regulation, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

Published

9 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

Aydın Yıldız, Head of Marine Sales at Petrol Ofisi Group

Petrol Ofisi’s bunkering arm PO/Marine on Thursday (17 April) said it has completed the bunkering operation of ULSFO—a marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content—in alignment with the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (MED ECA) regulation.

Under the new regulation, all vessels operating within the Mediterranean must use low-sulphur marine fuels.

Effective 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean will officially be designated as an Emission Control Area (MED ECA), prohibiting the use of marine fuels with sulphur content exceeding 0.10%.

In preparation for this regulatory transition, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO (Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil) with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

Aydın Yıldız, Senior Maritime Manager at Petrol Ofisi Group, said: “Our leadership in the maritime fuel sector is defined not only by our market share but also by the innovative steps we take to shape the industry.

“Successfully completing the supply of marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content in alignment with the MED ECA transition in Türkiye is a concrete reflection of this. We previously led the way with the country’s first VLSFO bunkering operation, setting a precedent in our sector.

“With our ULSFO bunkering, we have once again demonstrated that we are setting the standard in Türkiye’s marine fuel landscape. The designation of the Mediterranean as an Emission Control Area is not only a regional development but a historic turning point for global maritime operations.”

Photo credit: PO/Marine
Published: 21 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Oilmar completes first ULSFO bunker fuel delivery in Türkiye

Company announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul and is now offering the marine fuel in several key locations including Istanbul Anchorage and Marmara Sea.

Published

9 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar DMCC on Friday (18 April) announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul, marking one of the very first trades of its kind in the country.

“With this milestone, Oilmar proudly steps forward as one of Türkiye’s pioneering trading companies in ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur fuel,” it said in a social media post.

Oilmar is now offering ULSFO 0.1% across key locations:

Istanbul Anchorage
Marmara Sea
Gulf of Derince
Bozcaada Anchorage
Southern Türkiye Ports

In addition, High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra-Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO), and Low Sulphur Marine Gasoil (LSMGO) are available at all ports across Türkiye.

Photo credit: Dima Rogachevskiy on Unsplash
Published: 21 April, 2025