1
Map

Spica Singapore

SPICA SERVICES (S) PTE LTD

200 Cantonment Road
#13-03, Southpoint
Singapore 089763

Phone: (65) 6225 5711
Fax: (65) 6221 2053
Email: claims@spica.com.sg

After Office Hours Contact:

Dughall Aitken
(65) 9625 8986
dughall@spica.com.sg

Thomas Larsen
(65) 9155 7719
thomaslarsen@spica.com.sg

Abdul Rahman
(65) 9679 8503
arahman@spica.com.sg

Shivani Raswan
(65) 9297 0690
shivani@spica.com.sg

Mani Vanan
(65) 9169 6800
mani@spica.com.sg

OIL POLLUTION IN SINGAPORE – 14 June 2024

Following a collision in the afternoon of June 14th between a dredger and a bunker barge in the Port of Singapore, port waters have been affected by a pollution of fuel oil.

Whilst many vessels that were in the Port’s Eastern Anchorages at the material time have been affected by oil stained hulls, mooring ropes and equipment, port operations have continued without interruptions.

Whilst vessels calling at the Port should be aware of secondary oiling, from fenders, ropes, barges, supply boats and the like, no special measures are required.

Members’ vessels should of course be vigilant when calling Singapore.

Just-in-Time – PMC 10 2023

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) in Singapore is currently implementing a scheme titled “Just-in-Time”. The purpose is to match vessels with available berths upon arrival and also expedite any linked services. The aim is to save time at the anchorages surrounding the island of Singapore, thus reducing CO2 emissions and save on costs.

Vessels are to receive a time slot approval 72 hours in advance which they are to meet. If the berthing is delayed, there will be an anchorage available for the vessel in Singapore while waiting. Should the vessel arrive early, the MPA requests vessels to seek alternative anchorages in the vicinity of Singapore (Indonesia and Malaysia). There are on-going discussions with these countries on how to implement this. However please be aware there is no such thing as Singapore OPL as of now. Our previous cautions for anchoring without permission outside of Singapore remains in place. Without a valid reason to call Singapore, vessels will likely not be granted permission to anchor. Vessels already in Singapore will require a valid reason once 36 hours idle time is exceeded.

This scheme is not yet fully implemented and will naturally raise some practical issues along with legal and safety concerns. We are seeking practical input from industry players in order to possibly provide practical comments, should vessels experience unreasonable situations for their specific circumstances.

Update – courtesy of SSA

From January 2024, the Just In Time Planning and Coordination Platform (JIT Platform) for the Port of Singapore will be extended to tankers berthing at the energy terminals and all vessels calling at the anchorages. The JIT Platform had previously been fully implemented from 1 October 2023 for vessels berthing at PSA Terminal and Jurong Port for cargo operations.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will provide a 72-hours’ notification to Singapore-bound vessels regarding their berth allocation. Vessels are expected to time their arrival in Singapore accordingly. MPA has assessed that the 72-hour notification period allows for activities such as the provision of supplies, bunkering, crew change, and inspections to be conducted concurrently with cargo operations.

Any subsequent changes to the Estimated Time of Berthing (ETB) will be communicated through the JIT system, which operates as a live notification system. In case of delays to the ETB, not attributable to the vessel, MPA is prepared to provide anchorage space in the port if the delay is communicated within 12 hours for vessels coming from the west and six hours for vessels coming from the east before the ETB. Ships calling Singapore for husbandry services are allowed to enter, provided activities are planned during their stay. Vessels staying beyond 36 hours without a valid reason (i.e., no scheduled activities) may be directed to leave port by MPA.

INTERTANKO has provided a list of recommended anchorages for tankers, which can also be used by all types of vessels, subject to the service providers’ approval. The following is the list of alternative anchorages provided by INTERTANKO:

In Indonesia (within Riau Islands):

  1. Tg Balai Karimun Anchorage Area (PM17/2013) – Managed by PT Pelindo I (PERSERO)
  2. Nipa Island Anchorage Area (KM222/2019 and KM223/2019) – PT Asinusa Putra Sekawan and PT Pelindo I (PERSERO)
  3. Galang Island Anchorage Area (KM148/2020) – Managed by PT Bias Delta Pratama
  4. Kabil Anchorage Area (KM216/2000) – In concession process / cooperation of PT Pelabuhan Kepri (BUMD)
  5. Tanjung Berakit Anchorage Area (KM30/2021) – In concession process / cooperation of Pt. Pelabuhan Kepri (BUMD)
  6. Batu Ampar Terminal and Sekupang Terminal in Batam Port (KP775/2018) – Managed by Port Authority

In Malaysia:

  • Desaru Port Limit
  • Pasir Gudang Port Limit
  • Charisma Marine Supplies Sdn. Bhd
  • Sinar Eja Engineering and Supply Sdn. Bhd
  • Nikkomas Sdn. Bhd.
  • AWH International Logistics Sdn. Bhd
  • Sungai Udang Port Limit (To confirm whether non-tankers can utilise the space by the 2nd week of Jan, 2024)

Sea Theft – Singapore Straits

Excerpt – courtesy of the SSA:

The IFC [Information Fusion Centre] has provided photographic evidence of the recent sea theft incident that occurred in the Westbound Lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), Singapore Strait.

The perpetrators in this incident were observed using wooden boats with specific characteristics. These boats typically have a flat-bottomed hull and a narrow open deck.

Given the gravity of the situation, the IFC strongly advises all vessels transiting through the Singapore Strait to exercise the utmost caution and immediately implement crucial ship protection measures. We cannot stress enough the importance of safeguarding your crew, cargo, and vessel against potential threats.

Additionally, we strongly encourage all vessels to play an active role in aiding the authorities’ investigations by providing photographic or video evidence of any sea theft incidents or suspicious activities. Sharing such evidence will not only educate the industry about the modus operandi of the criminals but also assist in the swift apprehension of those responsible. 

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the IFC – www.ifc.org.sg 

Dughall Aitken is the Company Chief Executive and handles major casualty work for the company in Singapore and supervises the handling of all major claims regionally. Before joining Spica, Dughall worked for A.P. Moller, completing assignments in Maersk’s Ro-Ro, Offshore and Deep Water fleets. Thomas Larsen has joined Spica Services from an IG P&I Club, as the Regional Claims Manager. In addition to his Group P&I experience, Thomas is also a qualified lawyer and has a degree in dispute resolution. Thomas’ responsibilities are for the management of all regional claims teams, and for the introduction of improved claims handling processes and procedures. Thomas will also supervise all major claims throughout the region. Abdul Rahman bin Hussein has been with Spica 26 years, joining following a career at sea, and ashore with a well-known Marine Survey firm. Rahman has experience handling all types of claims, but specializes in tanker and general cargo claims, on behalf of all Clubs. Shivani Raswan is a qualified lawyer having six years relevant experience of practice in commercial/contract laws. After perusing her Masters in Maritime law with distinction in Marine Insurance from the National University of Singapore, she completed internships with renowned law firms in Singapore, such as Gurbani & Co., Joseph Tan & Jude Benny and Rajah & Tan. She is experienced in handling various marine/P&I claims such as cargo claims, containers/carrying equipment claims, ports’ liabilities and crew claims, but specializes in Transport Liability claims.

Copyright © 2022 Spica Services. All rights reserved.