Singapore has retained its position as the world's largest bunkering hub, with bunker sales crossing the 30 million mark for the first time in 2007.
Bunker sales in the port reached 31.5 million tonnes last year, up 11.2% compared to 2006's figures, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said.
Announcing the results during Thursday's Singapore Maritime Foundation new year cocktail reception, Singapore's Minister for Transport Raymond Lim also said that further steps will be taken to address environmental concerns related to shipping.
In an effort to "better safeguard the environment" in Singapore waters, the MPA will be revising its 'Gate System' for licensing bunker tankers.
From April 2008, new harbour craft licences will be issued only to bunker tankers that comply with the limits on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from ships as laid out under the International Maritime Organization's MARPOL conventions.
Under current MARPOL conventions, harbour craft that operate only within port waters are not required to comply with the NOx emissions limit that applies to oceangoing ships.
The new requirements under the revised 'Gate System' are seen to go beyond what is currently required under international regulations, and represents MPA's commitment to "work with the industry to address environmental concerns".
MPA said the revisions were made in consultation with, and has received support from, the industry.
The 'Gate System' was implemented in January 2005, bringing Singapore licensing requirements for bunker tankers in line with IMO regulations to protect the marine environment by phasing out single-hulled tankers.
Bunker sales in the port reached 31.5 million tonnes last year, up 11.2% compared to 2006's figures, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said.
Announcing the results during Thursday's Singapore Maritime Foundation new year cocktail reception, Singapore's Minister for Transport Raymond Lim also said that further steps will be taken to address environmental concerns related to shipping.
In an effort to "better safeguard the environment" in Singapore waters, the MPA will be revising its 'Gate System' for licensing bunker tankers.
From April 2008, new harbour craft licences will be issued only to bunker tankers that comply with the limits on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from ships as laid out under the International Maritime Organization's MARPOL conventions.
Under current MARPOL conventions, harbour craft that operate only within port waters are not required to comply with the NOx emissions limit that applies to oceangoing ships.
The new requirements under the revised 'Gate System' are seen to go beyond what is currently required under international regulations, and represents MPA's commitment to "work with the industry to address environmental concerns".
MPA said the revisions were made in consultation with, and has received support from, the industry.
The 'Gate System' was implemented in January 2005, bringing Singapore licensing requirements for bunker tankers in line with IMO regulations to protect the marine environment by phasing out single-hulled tankers.