Singapore-based ship management services provider Straits Marine Services Pte Ltd (SMS) is expecting an increase in enquiries for its vessel disinfecting services due to a recent notice from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), learns Manifold Times.
On 29 August, MPA published a notice to the Singapore bunkering sector outlining precautionary measures for personnel to observe when conducting marine refuelling operations at port in order to minimise the risk of contracting Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019).
A particular recommendation by MPA to bunker surveyors is as follows:
Bunker surveyor shall request the Master of the visiting ship to provide a suitable isolation area that has been appropriately sanitized for him to carry out his documentation work while onboard.
“SMS has started carrying out disinfection services on bunker barges in Singapore waters and has received many enquiries on who we are and what type of ship disinfection services we can offer since the launch of our service in June,” said Capt Tan of SMS.
The firm’s ship disinfection service is carried out through a collaboration with local disinfection and sanitisation services company Ecom Solution Pte Ltd (Ecom) which has been in operation since 2013.
Working together with Ecom has allowed SMS to become a maritime-based disinfection expert.
“Generally, land-based contractors only have the knowledge on disinfecting surfaces. This is a short term solution for disinfection on board vessels,” explains Capt Tan.
“Ecom, on top of being able to disinfecting surfaces, has access to technology for maintaining a 24/7 contaminant free environment in a vessel’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
“This is essential for shipowners who are interested in maintaining a contaminant free cabin/room for crew working on board vessels – which typically spend time out at sea – over a period of time.”
Capt Tan notes the duration of the disinfection process depends on the customer requirement.
“SMS, with its core business as a vessel management company, is operated by a team of mariners which are much more familiar with local and international maritime regulations and rules when compared to land-based peers in the disinfection business,” he says.
“We are much more qualified in providing a tailor-made and worry-free solution for shipowners which do not want to disrupt operations and risk compromising the safety of the vessel or crew.
“In addition to surface disinfecting, gas disinfecting, and continuous air treatment, we also offer onboard testing of the treated surfaces to ensure the effectiveness of our treatment for peace of mind.”
Contact details for Straits Marine Services’ vessel disinfecting service are as follows:
Name: Capt KL Mak
Position: Operation & Sales
Direct: (+65) 6255 2737, (+65) 6255 2738
Mobile: (+65) 8778 3883
Email: enquiry@straits-services.com
Related: Singapore: MPA publishes Covid-19 precautionary measures for bunker operations
Related: Singapore: Straits Marine Services starts vessel sanitisation operations on bunker tanker
Related: Straits Marine Services introduces COVID-19 ship sanitisation service for maritime sector
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Date: 15 September, 2020
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