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Singapore, the world's largest supplier of bunker fuel to ships has
announced details of its phase-out of single-hulled bunker tankers and plans
to revise its CP60 bunkering standard.
The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore, which regulates the world's
largest bunkering port, is to introduce what it calls a 'gate system' for
the licensing of bunker tankers from 1 January 2005, effecting a phase-out
of single-hulled tonnage.
Under the gate system MPA will only issue new harbour craft licences to
tankers of 600 dwt and above which are double-hulled.
For tankers below 600 dwt, new licences will only be issued to those less
than five years old."
From 1 April 2006 single-hulled tankers over 25 years old will only be
allowed to carry heavy grade oil in the port for a maximum of two years.
Trading will only be allowed with the provision that owners show plans to
scrap the old tankers and build new ones.
MPA said the two-year grace period would allow bunker suppliers to source
new tankers, given industry concerns over shortage of shipyard space.
The new measures will affect about 12% to 15% of the fleet of 120 bunker
tankers operating in Singapore.
This gate system strikes a balance between meeting our international
obligations on maritime safety, and ensuring sufficient bunker tanker
capacity to serve the industry.
Singapore-registered single-hulled tankers, meanwhile, will be allowed to
operate up to 25 years or until 2015, whichever is earlier, in line with
International Maritime Organization requirements. |
