The Maritime Port Authority (MPA) will extend its port dues waiver for new double-hulled bunker tankers operating within Singapore waters from tomorrow.
In line with this, the port dues surcharge for single-hulled bunker tankers 16 years old and over, will be increased from its current 10 per cent to 15 per cent from Jan 1.
The two measures are in support of the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) regulations to phase out single-hulled tankers from international operations by 2015 or age 25, whichever is earlier. They complement MPA's gate system for licensing bunker operators introduced in 2005, which aligns Singapore's licensing requirements with international regulations.
This is meant to encourage the Singapore bunker industry to begin fleet renewal to double-hulled tankers early. Industry response has been positive, with 19 new double-hulled tankers being introduced in the last three years and more replacements expected, MPA said. As such, the port dues waiver scheme which was introduced in 2005, will be extended for a further three years till March 31, 2011.
'We seek to be proactive in meeting and supporting the IMO's regulations, while working closely with our partners in the bunker industry to facilitate the transition to double-hulled tankers,' said port director M Segar.
Major bunker tanker owner and operator Sentek Marine and Trading, which had introduced three newly built double-hulled tankers in the last few years, welcomed the move. 'Newly built, larger double-hulled bunker tankers with modern design operate more efficiently to cater to the stringent demands of increasingly larger vessels that require quick turnaround times,' said managing director Pai Keng Pheng. He added that he was pleased with MPA's move as it would help mitigate the higher cost of these new tankers.
The waiver extension scheme is expected to result in collective savings of over $6 million for the industry.
In line with this, the port dues surcharge for single-hulled bunker tankers 16 years old and over, will be increased from its current 10 per cent to 15 per cent from Jan 1.
The two measures are in support of the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) regulations to phase out single-hulled tankers from international operations by 2015 or age 25, whichever is earlier. They complement MPA's gate system for licensing bunker operators introduced in 2005, which aligns Singapore's licensing requirements with international regulations.
This is meant to encourage the Singapore bunker industry to begin fleet renewal to double-hulled tankers early. Industry response has been positive, with 19 new double-hulled tankers being introduced in the last three years and more replacements expected, MPA said. As such, the port dues waiver scheme which was introduced in 2005, will be extended for a further three years till March 31, 2011.
'We seek to be proactive in meeting and supporting the IMO's regulations, while working closely with our partners in the bunker industry to facilitate the transition to double-hulled tankers,' said port director M Segar.
Major bunker tanker owner and operator Sentek Marine and Trading, which had introduced three newly built double-hulled tankers in the last few years, welcomed the move. 'Newly built, larger double-hulled bunker tankers with modern design operate more efficiently to cater to the stringent demands of increasingly larger vessels that require quick turnaround times,' said managing director Pai Keng Pheng. He added that he was pleased with MPA's move as it would help mitigate the higher cost of these new tankers.
The waiver extension scheme is expected to result in collective savings of over $6 million for the industry.