The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Wednesday (26 February) released three shipping circulars focusing on management of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation at the republic to its shipping industry.
The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Singapore-registered ships document notes MPA recognising owners and managers of Singapore-registered ships (SRS) facing challenges in meeting various statutory requirements under the Merchant Shipping Acts and its subsidiary legislations.
As such, MPA will now offer “favourable consideration and expedited approval” for seafarers to apply for extensions of sea service beyond the contractual period, and extensions of sea service period beyond qualification revalidation deadline.
The development also includes an extension of mandatory statutory surveys, inspections or audits of ships.
The Maritime Declaration of Health circular, meanwhile, mandates the compulsory maritime health declaration by vessels to the Port Health Unit under the National Environment Agency and the MPA for all arriving vessels and crew/passengers from China and South Korea under certain conditions.
The Extension of Precautionary Measures to Minimise Risk of Community Spread of COVID-19 in Singapore issues further advice to SRS owners and managers and the shipping community, while updating on industry-led initiatives and measures by port terminal operators to prevent the domestic spread of COVID-19.
The above documents can be downloaded via the following links:
Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 27 February, 2020
‘This biofuel bunker delivery represents a new chapter for Eng Hua as we are now moving with the times towards the era of decarbonisation,’ Mike Sin, Director at Eng Hua, tells bunkering publication Manifold Times.
MPA has also asked Glencore to improve its internal procedures to ensure that prompt action is taken in future when it becomes aware of, or reasonably suspects, any irregularity in fuel quality, it states.
Dynamic Asset Investments Limited and Goldsland Holdings Co Ltd helped Vermont UM Bunkering maintain a “Cash Float” of about SGD 100,000 to facilitate “buyback” bunker transactions at Singapore port.
Senior Cargo Officer gained SGD 48,800 worth of commission from “buyback” bunker transactions and illegally obtained SGD 410,712.257 by cheating Vermont, a Singapore court heard on Thursday (21 July).
Firm hopes to leverage partnership in Greece as a springboard to expand into neighbouring and overseas markets including Europe and China, says Robin Van Elderen, Regional Head Bunkers, Europe, Sing Fuels.
Singapore can help less developed countries in SouthEast Asia through ‘piloting and scaling fuels and technology as well as a leading hub for green finance’, said DNV Group President and CEO Remi Eriksen.