Port of Singapore Continues Good Growth in 2014

The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) organised the annual New Year cocktail reception on 16 January 2015. Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport and the Guest-of-Honour for the event, announced the advance estimates of Singapore’s 2014 port performance at the reception.

In 2014, the Port of Singapore achieved good growth in annual vessel arrival tonnage, and container and cargo throughput. The Singapore Registry of Ships grew steadily and ranks among the top 10 worldwide. Singapore also remained the top bunkering port in 2014.

Singapore continues to attract a diverse range of maritime businesses and is now home to over 130 international shipping groups and a total of 5,000 maritime establishments. The maritime cluster employs more than 170,000 people and contributes some seven per cent to Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product.

Vessel Arrival Tonnage

Annual vessel arrival tonnage reached a record high of 2.37 billion gross tonnes (GT) in 2014, a 1.9 percent increase over the 2.33 billion GT achieved in 2013. Container ships and tankers were the top contributors, each accounting for around 30 percent of total vessel arrival tonnage.

Container and Cargo Throughput

Container throughput hit 33.9 million TEUs in 2014, rising 4 percent from the 32.6 million TEUs registered in 2013. Total cargo tonnage handled last year also rose 3.5 percent over 2013 to reach 580.8 million tonnes.

Bunker Sales

Singapore remained the world’s top bunkering port in 2014. The total volume of bunkers sold in the Port of Singapore was 42.4 million tonnes, a slight dip compared to 42.7 million tonnes in 2013.

The Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS)

The SRS maintained its growth momentum last year. Compared to 2013, the total tonnage of ships under MPA’s register grew by 11.7 percent or 8.6 million GT. In 2014, the total tonnage of ships under the Singapore flag climbed to 82.2 million GT, from 73.6 million GT in 2013, consolidating Singapore’s position as one of the top 10 ship registries in the world. For more information, please refer to here.

Details of Singapore’s maritime performance from 2010 to 2014 are listed below:

^*Advance estimates

Expansion of Online Authentication Services

MPA is pleased to announce the expansion of the existing online certificate authentication services as one of the new enhancements to our ship registry services. Launched on 1 December 2014, this initiative involves the verification of other statutory certificates issued directly by MPA to Singapore ships. The authenticity and validity of statutory certificates issued by MPA can now be verified by various parties such as ship owners, port authorities, banks and law firms.

A few changes have been made to some of the statutory certificates issued directly by MPA in order to accommodate the implementation of the enhanced authentication services.

For faster verification via the online authentication system, a new Quick Response (QR) code feature had been added to the certificates. Other new features include (i) an electronic image of the signature of either the Registrar of Singapore Ships or the Director of Marine and (ii) an embossed MPA stamp on the original certificates.

For more information, please refer to our Shipping Circular No. 18 of 2014 or direct queries to Ship Registry dedicated contact via email: marine@mpa.gov.sg and tel: (65) 6375 1932.

MPA Launches Inaugural Port Management Programme

MPA Academy, the training arm of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), recently concluded the inaugural Port Management Programme (PMP). The five-day programme was held from 8 to 12 December 2014. The PMP is one of the new flagship programmes developed by the recently re-positioned MPA Academy for overseas port and maritime officials. The first run of the programme was attended by 13 officials from Europe, the Caribbean, Pacific Islands, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The map represents the countries whose officials attended the event.

The PMP was developed for port masters, harbour masters and middle managers. The participants of the PMP were also recipients of the newly-introduced MPA Academy Training Award, which covered their programme fees, airfares and accommodation.

The PMP underscores MPA’s commitment to share with the international community our experience and insights in port operations and management, as well as the opportunities and challenges Singapore faces as a global hub port and quality flag state. The programme also promotes the sharing of best practices and the exchanging of ideas with participants and industry professionals.

The PMP covers a wide spectrum of topics such as master planning for container terminals, maximising efficiencies in container/cargo terminal operations, vessel traffic management, emergency planning and response, port security and crisis communications. The presentations included case studies and examples of how things are done in Maritime Singapore.

The lectures were delivered by industry professionals, adjunct trainers from the MPA Academy, and technical experts from MPA’s line divisions.

Besides lectures, there were site visits to facilities such as PSA’s Terminals, MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre, MPA’s Integrated Simulation Centre and Oil Spill Response Limited to gain insights into Singapore’s maritime operations.

Visit to Port Operations Control Centre (PSA Vista).

Visit to Oil Spill Response Limited.

“The training was well-organised...It is an eye opener for me to be in the 1st PMP and witness how it is done”- Saungaki Rasmussen, Harbour Master, Cook Islands Port Authority

“Very sound programme delivered by experts who were able to draw on their experiences to reinforce key points from past incidents.”- Lt. Cdr. Wayne Mykoo, Manager Maritime Affairs, Department of Marine Services & Merchant Shipping (Antigua & Barbuda)

“I have definitely learnt a lot and will be using the knowledge to help improve ports in Fiji.” - Capt Philip Hill, Manager, Port Regulatory and Emergency Response Department, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (Fiji)

About the MPA Academy

The MPA Academy conducts training for MPA officers as well as overseas officers under various multilateral and bilateral technical assistance programmes. Through its programmes, the Academy and its partners seek to share knowledge and experience for the benefit of the international maritime community.

PSC Committee of the Tokyo MOU Meets in New Zealand

The 25^th meeting of the Port State Control Committee of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region (Tokyo MOU) took place in Queenstown, New Zealand from 10 to 13 November 2014.

The Tokyo MOU consists of 19 member Authorities from Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Fiji, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Brief Summary on Outcomes of Meeting

Applications for Observer Status

In accordance with provision of the Memorandum, the Committee unanimously agreed to accept the Kingdom of Tonga and the Riyadh MOU as observers of the Tokyo MOU.

Measures Against Under-Performing Ships

The Committee observed that measures against under-performing ships by the Tokyo MOU are beginning to take effect, taking into account a notable decrease in the number of under-performing ships published monthly and the number of individual ships involved each year. Member authorities are reminded to pay close attention to inspection of under-performing ships visiting their ports.

New Time Window for Verification of Rectification of Deficiencies

A new time window for verification of rectification of deficiencies up to a period of twenty-four months was approved by the Committee and will be implemented from 1 January 2015. The new time window supersedes the 6-month period previously adopted by the Tokyo MOU. During the twenty-four month period, all outstanding deficiencies that have not been closed are subject to verification by PSC officers in the region.

Future Tokyo MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC)

The Committee approved the arrangements for the CIC on Crew Familiarization for Enclosed Space Entry. The CIC will be carried out jointly with the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MOU) from 1 September to 30 November 2015.

Shipping Division Visits Accommodation Rig Safe Boreas

The Shipping Division visited the Singapore-registered semi-submersible accommodation rig Safe Boreas on 11 December 2014 at Jurong Shipyard Pte Ltd. The tour was led by the company representative, Mr Mark Arlow.

MPA officers boarding the accommodation rig, Safe Boreas, which was in the final stages of construction.

Safe Boreas is owned by Prosafe Rigs Pte Ltd and was registered in the Singapore Registry on 15 January 2015. At the time of the visit, the rig was in the final stages of construction and was preparing for delivery in January 2015.

One of the special features of the unit is the design of the rig, which allows for operation in harsh environments such as the North Sea. Featuring the latest technology, the unit was constructed according to the GVA 3000E design and equipped with specifications such as a DP3 (dynamic positioning) system as well as a 12 point mooring arrangement. These features allow for operations in harsh environment both in DP and anchored mode to provide maximum cost efficiency and flexibility. The rig has the capacity to accommodate 450 persons (all in single-man cabins) and has been constructed to comply with stringent United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) and Norwegian regulations.

Lifesaving specification: 8 x 70-men free-fall lifeboats

The rig is designed with a window in every room to ensure that natural light reaches cabins and offices.

The rig is also designed such that the accommodation block incorporates two atriums that will provide natural light to cabins and offices. There is also an open deck area of approximately 2,100m², a client office and top-notch recreation facilities onboard – these include a cinema, a gym, a sauna and an internet cafe.

Picture taken from the lounge area which has a painted scenic view of Marina Bay Sands.

On behalf of MPA, we would like to thank the owner and manager of Safe Boreas for graciously inviting us onboard to the new accommodation rig. It was definitely a great learning experience for the MPA officers. We would like to wish Safe Boreas every success in its operations!

Group photo of the MPA officers with the captain and manager of Safe Boreas.

Do you know?

Safe Boreas was named after Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind and the bringer of cold winter air. The name reflects how the new build rig is designed for operating in the North Sea, a geographical area renowned for its cold climate and harsh winters.

Singapore Ships Join Search & Rescue (SAR) Operations

On 18 December 2014, Singapore-registered ship GSW Fabulous sighted distress signals from a trawler whilst en-route to Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Under the instructions of the MRCC Colombo, GSW Fabulous proceeded to assist the distressed vessel. All four survivors were safely picked up from the distressed trawler on 19 December 2014. MPA would like to compliment the officers and crew of GSW Fabulous for their prompt response in facilitating the safe landing of the survivors.

On 28 December 2014, Italian-owned car ferry Norman Atlantic had left a Greek port when a fire broke out on the car deck. Singapore-flagged ship Spirit of Piraeus was called to be involved in the SAR mission by the Italian MRCC. The incident took place between Italy and Greece in the Mediterranean Sea. It was reported that Spirit of Piraeus had successfully rescued 49 survivors who were safely disembarked at the harbour of Bari in Southern Italy on 29 December 2014. MPA extends our condolences to the victims of the ferry fire disaster. We would also like to express our commendation to the master and crew of Spirit of Piraeus for extending a helping hand during the survivors’ time of need.

MPA Organises Charity Golf Event

MPA organised the inaugural MPA Charity Golf event earlier in November 2014 to raise funds in support of the Care & Share Movement. The movement is a national fund-raising and volunteerism movement led by the Community Chest as Singapore approaches its 50^th year of independence in 2015. The funds will go towards supporting the Community Chest and MPA’s adopted charities - The Salvation Army Prison Support Services - Kids in Play and Lighthouse School.

We are pleased to announce that MPA and the maritime community have raised $400,000 from the MPA Charity Golf event. We would like to give special mention to Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and Jurong Port for their generous participation in the charity drive.

Singapore Cup – International Futsal Competition for Seafarers

The Singapore Cup 2014, a futsal competition for seafarers, was held from 26 to 29 November 2014 at Chua Chu Kang Sports Hall. The event was organised by MPA as part of its initiatives to promote sporting and recreational activities for international seafarers calling at the Port of Singapore.

Some 160 participants, merchant seamen from eight ships and staff members from six local maritime organisations, competed in the competition. The teams were divided into two categories namely Ship/Merchant Seamen, and Maritime Organisations/Institutions & Shipyards.

Teams exchanging handshakes before the final match.

A total of 26 games were played by the 16 teams throughout the four days. At the final whistle, team Kota Latif emerged as the winners in the Ship/Merchant Seamen category, while team Sembawang Shipyard were the winners for the Maritime Organisation/Institutions & Shipyards category. Medals, trophies and the Singapore Cup were presented at a prize presentation ceremony after the games. The prizes were presented to the winning teams by Guest-of-Honour, Reverend Peter from the Mission to Seafarers.

Ship/Merchant Seamen category winners Team Kota Latif with the GOH Reverend Peter (back-left) and MPA’s representative, Mr Wong Kai Cheong (back-right).

Maritime Organisation/Institutions & Shipyards category winners Team Sembawang Shipyard with the GOH Reverend Peter (centre) and MPA’s representative, Mr Wong Kai Cheong (back-left).