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Singapore: MPA launches notation for Singapore Registry of Ships effective 1 Nov

“Smart”, “Cyber”, “Welfare”, and “Green” notations will be given to Singapore-registered vessels to enhance their commercial attractiveness.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (8 October) said it will roll out a Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) Notation initiative to recognise ship owners and operators who voluntarily incorporate solutions to drive digital transformation, strengthen cyber security, enhance well-being of seafarers and pursue sustainable shipping. 

The SRS is the first ship registry in the world to introduce such an accreditation system, according to Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Transport, at the 2021 SRS Forum

He also presented the SRS Top Net Tonnage Contributor Award to Wan Hai Lines Ltd. Themed Your Partner in Quality and Sustainable Shipping and organised by MPA, this year’s forum was conducted in a hybrid format, and focused on topics related to fleet improvement, prevention of container fire onboard and shipping decarbonisation.

Delivering the opening address, Mr Chee noted that the SRS has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1966, and had since grown into one of the largest, youngest, and highest-quality fleets in the world. 

Singapore aims to do more with the SRS together with its tripartite partners in the industry and unions, and would be launching the SRS Notation, an accreditation system for vessels that have done well in key areas. 

He said: “Looking ahead, we aspire for the SRS Notation to be universally recognised as an assurance of a vessel’s quality and future-readiness.”

First ship registry in the world to introduce smart, cyber, welfare and green notations for vessels 

To be rolled out on 1 November 2021, the SRS Notation covers four categories and is available to ship owners at no additional cost. 

Singapore-flagged vessels that fulfil the requirements for each of the categories will be issued a certificate of recognition and their details will be published on the MPA website to enhance their commercial attractiveness. The notation categories are:

a. “Smart” notation – awarded to vessels that adopt digital solutions to improve the safety and efficiency of shipboard operations, such as automation, advanced monitoring, and remote inspection.

b. “Cyber” notation – awarded to vessels that have adopted advanced cyber security measures to protect their key shipboard operational technology systems from cyber attacks. The four key systems are communication systems, propulsion, machinery and power control systems, navigation systems and cargo management systems.

c. “Welfare” notation – awarded to vessels equipped with good infrastructure and welfare amenities to enhance the quality of life for their crew.

d. “Green” notation – awarded to vessels that have implemented solutions to reduce their carbon emissions, such as usage of low or zero-carbon fuels. Qualifying vessels will receive additional benefits what would be introduced from 2022, such as a reduction in initial registration fees and rebates on annual tonnage taxes during the qualifying duration.

Note: More details about the SRS Notation application process will be made available to SRS ship owners at a later date.

Refreshed SRS logo – encapsulating a future-ready, trusted ship registry

A new logo for SRS was unveiled at the forum to commemorate the registry’s 55th anniversary. It comprises new visual elements that complement the former logo, in the form of three waves that represent the strong tripartite partnership among the industry, unions and government in supporting SRS. It also represents SRS’ core values of Quality, Reliability and Sustainability.

The hybrid event gathered more than 350 participants, comprising industry players such as ship owners, managers, operators, and classification societies. Speakers from PACC Ship Managers, GARD (Singapore), Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation and MPA’s Shipping Division shared its expertise in maritime energy transition, fleet improvement and shipping operational safety, as well as key takeaways on conducting remote inspection and surveys. 

A total of 15 companies received Green Ship certificates under the Green Ship Programme, for its efforts in reducing the environmental impact of its fleet.

KD4 4501

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 11 October, 2021

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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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RESIZED Sora Shimazaki on Pexels

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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Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

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RESIZED Drew Beamer

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

  • That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

  • that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
  • that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
  • that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Related: Singapore: Director declares Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping’s inability to continue business
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
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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