Tag: Singapore

Next Generation Container Port (NGCP) challenge The Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday has called on the international maritime community to plan, design and operate a next generation port for the republic.Participants of the Next Generation Container Port (NGCP) challenge, the first major project undertaken by SMI since its establishment in January 2011, stand to win a $1 million reward for the winning concept, the agencies said."The winning concept will have to embody innovation, efficiency, productivity and sustainability," said Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs.According to Lui, bigger container ships with increasing capacity pose a "real challenge" to Singapore to grow its port operations."Not so long ago, the workhorse of the Asia-Europe trade was a 6,000 TEU container ship. That soon went up to 12,000 TEUs and soon, we might have to prepare for an era with even larger ships beyond 18,000 TEUs," said Lui."At the same time, safety, security and the need to put in place environmentally sustainable practices are putting more demands on port infrastructure; to say nothing of the need for space to accommodate growth."The 'problem statement' for the challenge will be announced ...

The pirates stole a laptop, mobile phones and cash from the crew A tugboat towing a chemical tanker was hit by pirates in the Singapore Strait in the early hours of Monday morning.The Singapore-flagged tugboat Britoil71 was towing tanker Titan Vision when its was boarded by five armed pirates at 03-35hrs 3 nm southwest of Racon D in Philips Channel, Recaap Information Sharing Centre reported.Armed with parangs and a handgun, the pirates stole a laptop, mobile phones and cash from the crew before they escaped. None of the 15 crew were injured in the attack, the sixth in the are this year.Source: Seatrade Asia

Government ready to put another US$19m into Green Technology Programme The Singapore government is "very encouraged by the good response and participation from the industry we have received so far" to its Maritime Singapore Green Initiative that was launched in July, according to Lam Yi Young Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's chief executive.Speaking at the Green Ship Technology Asia Conference this week, Mt Lam said: "These are voluntary programmes designed to recognise and provide incentives to companies that adopt clean and green shipping practices over and above the minimum required by IMO Conventions. " He explained that the Singapore Green Initiative comprises three programmes - the "Green Ship Programme", "Green Port Programme" and the "Green Technology Programme".The Green Ship Programme is targeted at Singapore-flagged ships that exceed the IMO's recently adopted Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements. Under the programme, qualifying ships are eligible for a 50% reduction in Initial Registration Fees payable and a 20% rebate on their Annual Tonnage Tax. Recognition will also be given in the form of certificates and a new "SRS Green Ship of the Year" award starting from the next Singapore International Maritime Awards in 2013.The Green Port Programme aims to encourage ocean-going ...

The robbers escaped and took with them a lifebuoy The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that, at about 0200 hours on 9 September robbers boarded a chemical tanker anchored off Pulau Karimun Besar, Indonesia.When spotted by a crewmember, the robbers escaped and took with them a lifebuoy. At about 0300 hours on 11 September, robbers boarded a tug boat underway off Pulau Karimun Besar. They took the crew's personal belongings, removed the GPS, and disconnected the vessel's communication system before escaping.To view the Incident Alert, click here.Source: ReCAAP

Singapore must position itself as a champion for professionalism of continued differentiation Marine fuel supplier OW Bunker has said that, with the threat of Chinese competition, Singapore must continue to focus on driving up bunkering standards to maintain its position as the largest bunkering port.The company says that Singapore must position itself as a champion for professionalism as a means of continued differentiation. Speaking at the Bunker Asia 2011 conference in Singapore, Søren Christian Meyer, global sales director, OW Bunker, said: "As well as striving to be as competitive as possible on price, Singapore must focus on building a reputation for being the world's bunkering capital of excellence, a region known for quality and value-added services."Speaking on the trends, threats and opportunities of supply and demand in Singapore, Meyer continued: "While bunker prices in China are currently higher, this could well change. There is real expansion in the development of storage facilities and terminals, as well as bunker barges. And the main bunkering players have so much financial resource that they can simply drop their prices to become competitive."But Meyer believes that the seismic transformation of the shipping industry and the impending changes to fuel supply on the back of ...

The crew was not injured The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that robbers boarded a petroleum product tanker underway at night in the Singapore Strait approximately seven nm northeast of Horsburgh Lighthouse.They departed the tanker after stealing some shipboard equipment and crew's personal belongings. The crew was not injured.You can view the Incident Alert by clicking here.Source: ReCAAP

The new HQ oversees the operation of the 15 branch offices IACS member, Korean Register (KR) formally opened its Asia/Pacific headquarters in Singapore on 25th July.The new HQ oversees the operation of the 15 branch offices and survey stations located throughout the region.KR chairman & CEO, Oh Kong-gyun said: "The creation of the Asia/Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore cements our presence in this region and re-confirms our commitment to our customers who operate here."Establishing a network of regional HQs is part of our ongoing strategy to raise quality and customer service throughout the world. We have already opened regional headquarters in China and in Europe and plan further enhancements next year," he said.Immediately prior to the opening, KR staged its fourth annual technical seminar in Singapore, which was attended by more than 120 people representing shipowners, yards and designers.Issues covered included IMO conventions, PSC trends and the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).Source: Tanker Operator

Held two members of the crew hostage before escaping Four robbers armed with long knives boarded a Singapore-registered LPG tanker near Singapore early Monday morning to steal engine parts from the engine room.Anti-piracy agency ReCaap Focal Point Singapore said they also briefly held two members of the crew of Gas Batam hostage before escaping in a speed boat.The incident occurred at about 2am on the waters just east of Pulau Karimun Kechil.It lasted 10 minutes and crew members - including the two hostages, an oiler and a third engineer - are reported to be safe.The ship master has reported the incident to Singapore's Port Operation Control Centre (POCC).Source: Channel News Asia

Total trade volume between Singapore and Tianjin rose 65% Singapore and Tianjin City will cooperate on port and environmental services in the upcoming year. This was announced at the fourth Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council (STETC) on Tuesday.Tianjin Mayor Huang Xingguo and Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan co-chaired the meeting, his first since taking over the role from former Minister Mah Bow Tan.Tianjin is interested in Singapore's experience in grooming a skilled workforce to support its development as a regional port and logistics centre, said Mr Khaw.Tianjin's port, China's third largest, has been earmarked as North China's international shipping and logistics hub.Environmental services for Tianjin, such as waste and energy management, will also be a key area of cooperation.Ten urban development and logistics project agreements were signed at the meeting, held at the Shangri-La Hotel.Total trade volume between Singapore and Tianjin city for the first half of the year rose 65 per cent year-on-year to $1.68 billion.Source: Strait Times

Aims to reduce emission of pollutants from ships The Maritime Singapore Green Initiative aims to further reduce the environmental impact of shipping and related activities to promote clean and green shipping.According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Maritime Singapore Green Initiative consists of three programmes - 'Green Ship Programme', 'Green Port Programme' and 'Green Technology Programme".Singapore presents a commitment to address greenhouse gas emissions by shipping. Minister Lim said, "To encourage companies who are ready or thinking about undertaking environmentally-friendly shipping practices above and beyond what is IMO-mandated, the MPA will invest up to S$100 million over the next five years in the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative. This initiative highlights Singapore's commitment as a responsible flag, and port state to clean and green shipping."Under the Green Ship Programme targeted at Singapore-flagged ships, MPA will motivate ship owners who adopt energy efficient ship designs that reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.Singapore-flagged ships which go beyond the requirements of IMO's Energy Efficiency Design Index will enjoy a 50% reduction of Initial Registration Fees (IRF) and a 20% rebate on Annual Tonnage Tax (ATT) payable. Ship owners will also be recognised through certificates and a new "SRS Green Ship of ...