Singapore's 2015 Maritime Performance

The annual Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) New Year cocktail reception was held on 13 January 2016. The Guest-of-Honour Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure, and Minister for Transport announced the advance estimates of Singapore’s 2015 port performance at the reception.

Amidst weak global economic conditions and structural changes in the maritime industry, the Port of Singapore had put in a mixed performance in 2015. To help the container lines cope with the challenging economic environment, the MPA and PSA Corporation Limited (PSA) have proactively worked on a suite of help measures. These measures were announced by Mr Khaw in his address, where he stated that they are “another reflection of the Singapore Government’s consistent commitment to stand with and help our partners through challenging times”.

From 15 January 2016, the MPA will be granting an additional 10 per cent concession on port dues for container vessels calling at the Port of Singapore, if they are carrying out cargo works with a port stay of not more than five days. The additional concession will be in place for one year, and will be granted on top of existing port dues concessions such as the Green Port Programme incentives and the 20 per cent concession first introduced in 1996. In all, these concessions are expected to amount to more than S$17 million in annual savings for container lines.

Vessel Arrival Tonnage

Annual vessel arrival tonnage reached 2.50 billion gross tonnage (GT) in 2015, a 5.6 per cent increase over the 2.37 billion GT achieved in 2014. Container ships, bulk carriers and tankers were the top contributors, each accounting for about 30 per cent of total vessel arrival tonnage.

Container and Cargo Throughput

Container throughput totalled 30.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2015, a drop of 8.7 per cent from the 33.9 million TEUs registered in 2014. Total cargo tonnage handled last year also decreased by 1.1 per cent over 2014 to reach 574.9 million tonnes.

Bunker sales

Singapore remained the world’s top bunkering port in 2015. The total volume of bunkers sold in the Port of Singapore grew 6.5 per cent to register 45.2 million tonnes, compared to 42.4 million tonnes in 2014.

The Singapore Registry of Ships

For more information, click on the link here.

Singapore’s Maritime Performance from 2011 to 2015

Details of Singapore’s maritime performance from 2011 to 2015 are as follows

Green Ship Programme Reaches New Milestone at the 3^rd SRS Forum

The 3^rd Singapore Registry of Ships Forum (SRS Forum), held on 13 November 2015 and themed “Quality Shipping”, recognised another 53 Green Ships that have qualified for the Green Ship Programme (GSP). Additionally, 10 maritime companies also signed the Maritime Singapore Green Pledge. Since its inception in 2011, there are a total of 247 Green Ships under the GSP and a total of 100 signees who have signed the Green Pledge. The Forum also recognised companies who have contributed up to the 85^th million GT in the SRS tonnage.

Distinguished speakers from various stakeholder groups - Maersk, Singapore Environment Council and Singtel were invited to share with some 250 senior maritime professionals and partners from Institutes of Higher Learning their expertise and insights on implementing, alongside business growth, best practices in shipping that took into consideration environmental and social responsibility.

Participants of the forum also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MPA and DuPont Company (Singapore) to collaborate on services and solutions for the maritime industry. The MoU was signed by MPA Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) Captain M Segar and Mr Hsing Ho, President-Singapore, Group Managing Director-ASEAN.

The MoU outlines areas for collaboration on working relationships focused on developing value propositions for services and solutions for the maritime industry. The projects will aim to promote the adoption of safety, operational risk and sustainability management practices.

For list of Green Ships and companies recognised at the Third SRS Forum, please refer to Annex.

Singapore Re-Elected into the IMO Council for a 12^th Consecutive Term

Singapore has been re-elected into the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for a 12^th consecutive two-year term. The election was held during the 29^th Session of the IMO Assembly on 27 November 2015, in London, the United Kingdom.

Singapore's membership of the IMO Council has allowed the Republic to make significant contributions towards advancing the efforts of the international maritime community to enhance navigational safety, promote efficient and sustainable shipping, and protect the marine environment. Singapore was first elected to the 40-member IMO Council in 1993 and has since been re-elected to the Council at subsequent biennial IMO Assemblies.

Following Singapore's successful re-election, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, who led the delegation comprising officials from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the MPA, stated that - "Singapore is honoured to be re-elected to the IMO Council and is grateful for the support of our fellow IMO Member States. We are heartened that our contributions to the IMO over the years are valued and recognised. Singapore takes our responsibility as a Council member seriously and will continue to play an active role to contribute towards the IMO's goal of safe, secure and efficient shipping."

As an IMO Council Member, Singapore has contributed to, and played an active role in the IMO. Singapore has also had the honour of serving in various leadership positions in the IMO, such as the Chairman of the IMO Council for a two-year term between 2001 and 2003, Chairman of the then Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases, as well as the then Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation. Singapore has also served as the Vice-Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, the Maritime Safety Committee, as well as the then Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping.

Belford Dolphin Visit at Keppel Shipyard

On 1 October 2015, MPA officers from the International Maritime Centre (IMC) and Shipping Division visited the drill ship Belford Dolphin. Equipped with dynamic positioning to automatically stabilise her position, Belford Dolphin is mainly involved in the exploration of natural gas. She is both owned and managed by Dolphin Drilling Pte. Ltd.

Belford Dolphin arrived from Mozambique, Africa, for repair and maintenance works at the Keppel Shipyard. We were told that her voyage lasted 28 days. As we made the long journey up onto the ship, we could hear the noise from the on-going repair works.

During the visit, we were briefed on the ship’s capabilities by the Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) and the Chief Engineer. We learned about its drilling equipment, operations, as well as the tasks of its crew members that handle the daily operations. Despite having to climb many flights of stairs, we were mostly excited, as for some of us, it was our first time visiting a drill ship.

Before we were guided to the drill floor where the main drilling operations were carried out, we were brought to the bridge where the suite of navigation systems was located. We managed to take a closer look at the equipment, such as the ECDIS which is an electronic chart used for the ship navigation. Apart from the ECDIS, paper charts were also used.

In the drilling control room, the OIM shared on the duties of the driller and the lead crew member in charge of drill crew. The lead crew member is responsible for the operation of the drawworks, actual drilling and assessment of down-hole conditions such as the well pressures, mud properties and bit in hole.

We are thankful for the opportunity and wonderful educational experience. All of us now have a better insight on how a drill ship operates as well as the complexities involved. We definitely gained a lot from this visit.

Ships Rescue@Sea

Rescue operations by Singapore ships in the last quarter of 2015

Singapore-registered ship Viking Princess went to the rescue of 3 persons after a catamaran capsized on 4 November 2015. The vessel was bound for Port de Galisbay (Marigot), Saint Martin when she received an order from MRCC Fort-De-France to alter course and assist with a search and rescue operation within 15 nm of vessel’s vicinity.

In the same month, on 27 Nov 2015, another Singapore ship, Ashley Lady responded to a distress alert and approached the reported location in the west of the Philippines coast. Some survivors were seen floating in the water as their vessel was reported to have sunk. Due to the bad weather, the rescue boats were not launched and MRCC deployed aircraft instead to assist the Master of Ashley Lady in the search of the distressed persons. Under the instructions from the MRCC Hong Kong, the crew of Ashley Lady managed to rescue 6 of the 19 crew members from the sunken vessel using lifebuoys and ropes. The vessel was eventually released from the rescue operation following the arrival of the designated rescue ships.

MPA would like to compliment the officers and crew of Viking Princess and Ashley Lady for their gallant efforts extended in rescuing the distressed persons.

Singapore ships started the New Year with rescue operations at sea

On 9 January 2016, Singapore-registered ship Pacific Vigilance, operating offshore Equatorial Guinea, was tasked in rendering assistance to rescue 2 stranded French nationals who had to abandon their capsized fishing boat after it was flooded by a large wave. The crew of Pacific Vigilance launched the Fast Rescue Daughter Craft (FRDC), rescued the two men and transferred them to Okume ‘C’, the central operating facility in the oilfield, for full medical examination.

On the same day, 9 January 2016, another Singapore-ship, Psu Sixth, was involved in a rescue operation in Manado, Indonesia. It was reported that the crew of Psu Sixth sighted a man signalling from a drifting raft after the mooring line had parted from the fishing vessel. The survivor was safely disembarked off Bongao Island, Sibutu Passage and Psu Sixth subsequently resumed its operation.

MPA would like to compliment the officers and crew of Pacific Vigilance and Psu Sixth for extending a helping hand during the survivor’s time of need.

Singapore and Indonesia Maritime Authorities Mark 10 Years of Co-Operation on Maritime Training

The MPA and the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST), Ministry of Transportation, Republic of Indonesia, signed an extension to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the Co-operation on Human Resources Development of the Government Officers in the Maritime Field. The signing ceremony was held in Singapore on 10 December 2015, in conjunction with the 9^th Meeting of the DGST-MPA Training MoU. The extension of the MoU this year marks ten years of strong bilateral cooperation between MPA and DGST on maritime training.

The MPA and DGST signed the MoU in 2005 with the objective of raising the standards of technical and administrative professionalism of personnel from the two organisations. Over the last ten years, more than 50 programmes and workshops have been organised for more than 800 officials. The areas of training include the implementation of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions which contribute to the enhancement of navigational safety and marine environmental protection, Maritime Labour Convention and Port State Control.

Mr. Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, said, "The MoU underscores Singapore's close ties with Indonesia and attests to the commitment of both countries to facilitate greater exchange of knowledge and best practices in the maritime sector. With the extension of the MoU, a greater focus will be placed on maritime leadership development for senior officials in DGST and MPA. More opportunities for exchanges between DGST and MPA officers will also be offered to further enhancethe longstanding bilateral maritime cooperation between Singapore and Indonesia."

Singapore Cup - International Futsal Tournament for Seafarers 2015

MPA Shipping Division organised the Singapore Cup International Futsal Tournament for Seafarers 2015, which took place from the 4 to 6 Nov 2015, at the Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall as part of its programme of recreational activities for seafarers.

The competition attracted 520 participants throughout the 3-days event. 10 teams from 10 ships competed in the Ships / Merchant Seamen category and 6 teams from 6 Maritime Organisations / Institutions & Shipyards competed in the Maritime Organisations / Institutions & Shipyards category. The breakdown of participants is as follows:

A total of 26 games were played throughout the 3 days event. The teams were divided into two categories, namely Ships/Merchant Seamen category and Maritime Organisations / Institutions & Shipyards category.

The team from the ship – M.V. Tangguh Foja - was the winner in the Ships / Merchant Seamen category while the Singapore Maritime Academy emerged as winner for the Maritime Organisations / Institutions & Shipyards category.

Nominate Singapore as “Port of the Year” for the ISWAN 2016

The International Seafarers Welfare Assistance Network, also known as “ISWAN”, had launched an International Seafarers’ Welfare Awards 2016 on 27 November 2015. The award recognises ports and organisations that have put in effort in the provision of welfare services.

Singapore recognised the challenges that seafarers face and we strive to make their stay in the Port of Singapore a pleasant experience. MPA administers a number of financial assistance schemes that cover educational grants and long service retirement awards. MPA also provides conciliation services to help resolve disputes between employers and seafarers onboard Singapore ships. Seafarers can also look forward to a host of sports and recreational activities when they are in Singapore. MPA regularly organises activities such as sightseeing tours, shipping trips around Singapore as well as the Singapore Cup Futsal Tournament and the International Bowling Tournament.

We would like to encourage the crew and seafarers employed by your company in the shipyard, undergoing training or taking any maritime courses to nominate Singapore as “Port of The Year” for the ISWAN Award 2016. The process of nominating is through the ISWAN website. Please click here to view the nomination page.