Singapore

Singapore's strong line on MARPOL changes

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore has introduced new regulations covering the submission of pre-arrival declarations by single-hulled tankers. The new regulations applied from April 4, and take account of the revised Regulation 13G of MARPOL Annex 1 (covering the phasing-out of singlehulled tankers) and new Regulation 13H, which bans the carriage of heavy grade oil in single hulls.

The revised Regulation 13G specifies that single-hulled tankers should be phased out or converted to a double hull, according to a schedule based on the year of the vessel's delivery. Regulation 13H bans the carriage of HGO in single-hull tankers in accordance with a schedule based on the tonnage and delivery date of the vessel.

In Singapore, the MPA requires the owner, agent, master or person-incharge of any single-hulled tanker of 5,000 dwt and above to submit a declaration to the port master at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Any vessel failing to comply with the applicable MARPOL provisions on single hull tankers may be denied entry to the port or, if already in the port, may be detained.
(MPA Singapore Port Marine Circular No. 09 of 2005).