Business

Singapore: MPA SRS forum discusses biofuels bunkers, electrification of harbourcraft

The 2020 Singapore Registry of Ships Forum focused on tapping opportunities from the COVID-19 pandemic, in areas such as digitalisation and decarbonisation.

Published

6 years ago

November 4, 2020

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Tuesday (3 November) held the 2020 Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) Forum which saw an attendance of 270 virtual participants comprising of industry stakeholders such as ship owners, managers, operators, and classification societies.

The event’s theme: “Resilience, Strength and Adaptability” focused on how owners, managers and operators of Singapore-flagged ships can tap on opportunities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, in areas such as digitalisation and decarbonisation, said the MPA.

“First, the maritime sector including the Port of Singapore has remained resilient even with COVID-19. Our container throughput registered a 3.7% growth in September this year compared to the same month last year,” noted Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of MPA speaking at the opening address.

“Our bunkering volumes is also 5.6% higher from January to September this year, compared to the same period last year.

Quah also focused on the partnerships that MPA has built in the areas of decarbonisation and digitalisation.

“On decarbonisation, MPA and our partners are funding the research, test-bedding, and adoption of low-carbon technologies through the S$40 million Maritime GreenFuture Fund.

“MPA also recently launched the joint Call for Proposals with the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) to support the development in electrification of harbour craft.

“Together with SMI, we are studying the use of biofuels in harbourcraft. I would like to encourage SRS companies operating harbour craft to work with like-minded technology developers to support trials for future fuels.”

At a national level, Quah noted that the MPA are extending its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Global Compact Network Singapore by an additional three years to 2023.

Together with SSA and GCNS, MPA will promote carbon management and awareness amongst maritime companies.

As part of these efforts, Quah added MPA has also launched NextGen with IMO to come up with platforms for organisations to share ideas so that they can snowball into commercially viable solutions for ocean-going vessels.

On digitalization, Quah stated that Singapore is actively driving maritime digitalisation to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

“MPA and China’s Maritime Safety Administration have started live trials to exchange electronic certificates to streamline port clearance,” noted Quah.

“MPA has also signed a MOU with the Port of Rotterdam, PSA International, TradeLens, GeTS, and CargoSmart, to develop and adopt common data standards and Application Programming Interface specifications, which will facilitate data exchange for port and maritime services transactions.

“This partnership will drive the digitalOCEANS initiative, Singapore’s vision of a global inter-operable network that will connect ships, ports, governments and other trade platforms for the seamless flow of data across borders.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 4 November, 2020

Winding up

Singapore: Liquidator of Selco (Shipyard) Pte Limited issues notice of dividend

Fifth and final dividend to admitted creditors of Selco (Shipyard) is payable from 13 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

20 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

A notice of dividend for Selco (Shipyard) Pte Limited, which is currently in compulsory liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (10 July).

The following are the details of the notice:

Name of Company : Selco (Shipyard) Pte Limited (In Compulsory Liquidation) Co. Reg. No. 196800580K
Address of Registered Office : 7 Straits View, Marina One East Tower, Level 12, Singapore 018936
Court : High Court of the Republic of Singapore
Number of Matter : Companies Winding Up No.: 125 of 1986
Amount per centum : 0.499 cents to a dollar
First and final or otherwise : Fifth and final dividend
When payable : From 13th day of July 2026
Where payable : c/o PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Pte Ltd, 7 Straits View, Marina One East Tower, Level 12, Singapore 018936

Photo credit: Benjamin Child
Published: 13 July, 2026

Business

MPA: IMO adopts Singapore-led resolution on protecting vital shipping lanes

Backed by 30 Member States, the resolution reaffirms the importance of upholding and respecting navigational rights and freedoms for commercial ships when transiting through vital shipping lanes.

Published

20 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a Singapore-led resolution on the protection of vital shipping lanes at the 137th Session of the IMO Council, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (10 July).

Co-sponsored by 30 Member States, including Indonesia and Malaysia, the resolution reaffirms the importance of upholding and respecting navigational rights and freedoms for commercial ships when transiting through vital shipping lanes, including straits used for international navigation, in accordance with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“It also reaffirms the importance of abiding by the regulations and standards adopted by the IMO,” MPA said in a statement.

“The resolution also highlights the important role of the IMO in promoting a stable, predictable, and rules-based maritime order. It underscores the importance of international cooperation, dialogue, and collective responsibility in keeping vital sea lanes open, secure, and accessible.”

The resolution further highlights the importance of safeguarding the safety, health, and well-being of seafarers who play an indispensable role in global supply chains.

“As an open and trade-dependent economy, Singapore supports a stable, rules-based international order to ensure uninterrupted global trade, resilient supply chains, and food and energy security,” MPA added,.

“The resolution reflects Singapore’s longstanding commitment to upholding international law, and to safeguarding an open, stable and predictable maritime environment.”

Photo credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Published: 13 July, 2026

Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains tugboat with undocumented 10,000 litres of diesel in Kuala Langat

Inspection found MYR 5,000 in cash on the vessel and 10,000 litres of diesel, of which the skipper failed to present any document or permit authorising the transport of the diesel fuel.

Published

20 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

Malaysia: MMEA detains tugboat with undocumented 10,000 litres of diesel in Kuala Langat

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Friday (10 July) said it detained a tugboat during an enforcement operation in Selangor waters.

Selangor MMEA director Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the vessel was detained at about 6.35am at about 4.7 nautical miles 0.1 nautical miles from the estuary of Sungai Langat, Kuala Langat.

He said the initial inspection found that the vessel in question was operated by a 44-year-old skipper along with a 23-year-old crew member, both Indonesian nationals.

Further inspection found that the vessel did not have a mandatory insurance coverage, including the Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC).

“Inspection also found 10,000 litres of diesel and MYR 5,000 in cash on the vessel,” he said.

“The skipper also failed to present any document or permit authorising the transport of the diesel fuel, raising suspicions regarding the ownership of the controlled items.”

The tugboat and both crew members were brought to the Pulau Indah Marine Police Force jetty before they were handed over to the Selangor MMEA for further action.

He added that the case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 13 July, 2026