Single hulled oil tankers pre-arrival declaration

Members’ attention is drawn to the following Port Marine Circular on single hulled oil tankers pre-arrival declaration issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore:

Port Marine Circular No. 09 of 2005 dated 1 April 2005

Single hulled oil tankers pre-arrival declaration

Introduction
1. In December 2003, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted amendments to MARPOL Convention to phase out the Single Hulled Tankers (SHTs). These are the revised Regulation 13G of MARPOL Annex I (phasing out of SHTs) and new Regulation 13H (ban on carriage of heavy grade oil (HGO)1 in SHTs) and updated Form B (Supplement to the International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate). These Amendments will come into force on 5 Apr 2005.

2. Under Regulation 13H, the SHTs cannot carry HGO on SHTs of 5,000 deadweight tons (DWT) and above from year 2005 and in SHTs of 600 DWT and above but less than 5,000DWT from year 2008. However, the Flag administration may grant an exemption until it reaches 25 years of age.

3. As a party to MARPOL Convention, Singapore has international treaty obligation to give effect to these amendments. Hence the MPA would be monitoring SHTs affected by these amendments. This circular specifies the pre-arrival declaration by SHTs of 5,000DWT and above

Pre-arrival declaration by single hulled tankers
4. Pursuant to Sections 10 and 44 of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Cap.170A) and Regulations 3 of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations 1997, the Port Master hereby directs that with effect from 4 Apr 2005, 0001hours (Singapore time), all vessels to which this circular applies shall comply with the reporting procedures specified as follows:

5. The owner, agent, master or person-in-charge of any SHTs of 5,000DWT and above shall submit a declaration to the Port Master at least 24 hours prior to arrival. A SHT of 5,000DWT and above coming from a nearby port, with less than 24 hours steaming time to Singapore, shall immediately on departure from such port submit a declaration to the Port Master.

6. The Pre-arrival Declaration by Single Hulled Tankers shall be addressed to the Port Master and provides the information in the reporting format as shown in Appendix A. It shall be transmitted by any of the following means:
a. Telefax : (65) 6224 5776
b. Telex : RS 34970 (Answer Back PORTPM 34970)

7. Any vessel that does not comply with the applicable provisions of MARPOL Convention on SHTs may be denied entry into port, and if the ship is already in port, it may be detained.

8. Any queries concerning this circular may be directed to Port Master’s Office at telephone numbers (65) 6325 2369 or via fax number (65) 6325 2454.