Singapore’s port authority has issued bunker survey licences for 51 companies to operate in the Port of Singapore.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) awarded the licenses to firms providing a full range of inspection and survey services as it seeks to ensure LNG bunkering on the island is conducted to the highest international standards.
“This new licensing scheme for bunker surveying companies complements the existing schemes of requiring bunker surveyors to be licenced and requiring bunker survey companies to be accredited to ISO 17020,” Darajit Daud, Senior Manager, SGS Testing & Control Services Singapore, said.
Survey skills to drive industry benefits
The licences are expected to support further growth of LNG bunker infrastructure on the island and will be valid from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017.
“In the long term, we expect that both the bunker and shipping community will benefit from this. We believe that together, these schemes will enhance industry confidence in the many bunker surveying companies in Singapore and further help protect the interest of the relevant bunker players in this multi-billion dollar business,” Daud said.
Licensing to ensure shipping confidence
The MPA has invested heavily in LNG bunkering infrastructure as part of a government strategy to establish Singapore as both a leading supply hub for LNG fuel and a centre of excellence for LNG bunkering technology.
“We are confident that the licensing of bunker surveying companies will reassure buyers and sellers that Singapore’s bunkering industry is well-served by trained and certified professionals – this initiative, together with the mandatory implementation of mass flow meters (MFMs), demonstrate MPA’s commitments towards promoting Singapore as a premium bunkering hub,” S K Lim, chairman of Singapore’s SSA Services Committee, said.
Last year, the MPA extended its existing Maritime Singapore Green Initiative (MSGI) – through its Green Ship Programme (GSP) and Green Port Programme (GPP) - helping to create financial benefits for ship owners using LNG and to drive uptake of the fuel for shipping.
“MPA will ensure that the MSGI remains relevant and supports the move towards a more Sustainable Singapore and global maritime community. The extension of the MSGI Programme is a strong demonstration of our commitment towards an environmentally friendly and sustainable global hub port,” Andrew Tan, CEO of MPA, said.
