Port of Singapore engages shipping community to raise awareness of navigational safety
MPA takes a serious view of any incidents in Singapore waters. Following the recent three collisions resulting in oil spillage, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is conducting investigations to determine the causes of the collisions and if there were systemic issues that need to be addressed. While awaiting the outcome of these investigations, MPA will implement several measures with immediate effect to minimise future marine incidents, MPA said in its press release.
MPA will conduct briefings to the shipping community to reinforce the importance of the safety of navigation in the Singapore Strait and within our port waters. These briefings, conducted in partnership with the Singapore Shipping Association, will be targeted at shipowners, ship managers, ship charterers and shipping agents, who have direct channels to convey the safety messages to the ship masters and officers. The first of these briefing will be held this week.
MPA will also promulgate Port Marine and Shipping Circulars to the shipping and harbour craft communities, emphasising the importance of navigational safety and to maintain vigilance whilst navigating.
The Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) will also initiate broadcasts on the importance of safe navigation and vigilance in the Singapore Strait and within our port waters. This is in addition to the traffic information that the Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) provides to the ships' crew. The ship master remains responsible for the safe navigation of his ship.
"MPA is gravely concerned about the recent incidents in Singapore's waters. We are working with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) to take immediate steps to raise the level of awareness of navigational safety in the shipping community. MPA is committed to ensuring the safety of navigation in our waters and will work closely with our partners in the shipping community to reinforce this. MPA is also enhancing its navigational alerts to provide ship masters and pilots to help improve their situational awareness, pending the outcome of the investigations into these incidents," said Mr Andrew Tan, MPA's Chief Executive.
Mr Patrick Phoon, President of SSA said, "The SSA is working closely with MPA on reinforcing the importance of safety of navigation in Singapore waters. I have full confidence that my members will heed this urgent call to do their utmost to emphasise to their ships' masters and crew members to exercise vigilance at all times. We all have an important role to play in protecting our marine environment and to ensure safety at sea," he added.
About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.