04-Dec-2019
EXTENSION OF GREEN SHIP PROGRAMME
Singapore
MARITIME GLOBAL PROCESSING CENTRE CLOSURE OVER HOLIDAYS
Australia
TYPHOON MOVING AWAY
Philippines
CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATIONS
Subic Bay, Philippines
RE-OPENING OF TERMINAL AFTER TYPHOON
Bataan, Philippines
INSTALLATION OF FLOATING SEA BARRIER
Singapore
Extension of Green Ship Programme
Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Singapore
This Circular serves to provide an update on the details of the Green Ship Programme (GSP) for Singapore-flagged ships… …The GSP commenced on 1 July 2011 and was valid until 30 June 2016… …[It] was extended until 31 December 2019, and now it is further extended until 31 December 2024.
From 1 January 2020, MPA will provide incentives to Singapore-flagged ships which:
i. Exceed IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements;
ii. Adopt engine capable of using liquefied natural gas (LNG); and/or
iii. Adopt engine capable of using alternate fuel with CF (conversion factor between fuel consumption and CO2 emission)2 equivalent to or lower than LNG, henceforth referred to as “low-carbon fuels”…
…Singapore-flagged ships that adopt approved SOx scrubber technology will no longer be qualified under the GSP as this criterion will not be going above and beyond existing IMO emission requirements.
A Singapore-flagged ship that exceeds the requirements of IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI EEDI will enjoy a 50% reduction on the Initial Registration Fees (IRF) under both normal registration and Block Transfer Scheme (BTS) during the registration of the ship. It will also enjoy a 20% rebate on Annual Tonnage Tax (ATT) payable every year until the ship ceases to exceed the requirements of MARPOL Annex VI EEDI, based on the applicable EEDI phase for that particular ship type and size. Details of the EEDI-related criteria and applicable ship types can be found Annex B.
An existing ship which utilises energy efficient ship design that meet the requirements for the GSP can also take part in this programme, but will only enjoy the 20% rebate on ATT payable every year until the ship ceases to exceed the requirements of the applicable EEDI phase for that particular ship type and size. For registration anew scenarios, that is, those involving existing ships in the Singapore Registry, there is no 50% reduction on the registration anew fees for the new ship owner as this fee is not considered as IRF. However, the ship owner can still enjoy the 20% rebate on ATT if the ship qualifies under the GSP.
A Singapore-flagged ship that uses LNG as its primary fuel will enjoy 75% reduction on the IRF and 50% rebate on the ATT.
With effect from 1 January 2020, the GSP will also recognise Singapore-flagged ships that use fuels with CF (conversion factor between fuel consumption and CO2 emission) lower than LNG, or low-carbon fuels. Please refer to Annex C for the list of fuels and their corresponding CF values. A Singapore-flagged ship that uses low-carbon fuels as its primary fuel will enjoy 50% reduction on the IRF and 20% rebate on the ATT. A Singapore-flagged ship which exceeds the requirements of MARPOL Annex VI EEDI and uses low-carbon fuels as its primary fuel will enjoy 75% reduction on the IRF and 50% rebate on the ATT.
To qualify for the GSP under the EEDI criterion, the ship owner has to submit a copy of the International Energy Efficiency (IEE) Certificate as proof that the attained EEDI of the ship exceeds IMO’s requirements on EEDI for that particular ship type and size at the time when the above financial incentives are to be applied. To qualify for the GSP relating to the use of LNG and low-carbon fuels on Singapore-flagged ships, please refer to the application form as shown in Annex D. Please submit this application form and supporting documents at the point of provisional registration.
If the documentary evidence (such as IEE Certificate or Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate) is not ready at the time of provisional registration, the ship owner has to inform the Singapore Registry of Ships in writing at the point of provisional registration of the intention to participate in the GSP. The documentary evidence will then need to be submitted within 1 month of provisional registration. For existing ship owners who have made major modifications to make their ships green and would like to enjoy the 20% rebate on ATT, please provide the documentary evidence at least two months before the ATT due date.
There will be no pro-rated rebate if documentations are not submitted on time. Submissions can be made via email to marine@mpa.gov.sg.
Interested ship owners may approach one of our eight Recognised Organisations (ROs) for the issuance of the documentary evidence (such as IEE Certificate or Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate). Please refer to Annex E for the list of ROs.
Ships that qualify for the GSP will be given a “Green Letter of Recognition” issued by MPA. The “Green Letter of Recognition” will also be given to the company owning the qualifying ship.
(For further details and information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Extracts from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Shipping Circular No.12 of 2019
Maritime Global Processing Centre closure over holidays
Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Australia
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has advised that the Maritime Global Processing Centre (MGPC) will be closed from 4pm on Tuesday 24 December until the start of business on Monday 30 December 2019, and again on Wednesday 1 January 2020. No Maritime Crew Visas (MCVs) will be processed during this time.
Applicants should continue to ensure that they have a valid visa for entry into Australia. For crew arriving in Australia on a vessel by sea, applications should be lodged at least 14 days prior to departure from a port overseas in order to avoid any issues with delays to processing, crew travelling and/or arriving without visas, or associated punitive action. This means applications should be lodged no later than Tuesday 10 December 2019 for crew that will be departing from an overseas port between Tuesday 24 December and Wednesday 1 January 2020.
The Australian Border Force will remain operational on a continued 24/7 basis over the holiday period.
REMINDERS and other important information:
Correspondence regarding visa applications will continue to be managed through ImmiAccount. This does not include application status enquiries. If we require information from you we will message you through ImmiAccount. When a decision is made on your visa application, we will let you know.
If you have a technical problem with your ImmiAccount or online application you should use the ImmiAccount Technical Support Form in the first instance to request a resolve to your issue.
Applicants/stakeholders may only use the MGPC mailbox (mcv@homeaffairs.gov.au) if:
– You have been granted an MCV, and you wish to advise that you made a mistake with the name and/or date of birth you provided on the associated application.
– You are advised to do so by the Department, for example in a system error message, and including where an MCV holder is seeking to have their MCV ceased.
The MGPC mailbox is not for application status enquiries. If received, they will not be responded to.
They will not respond to any correspondence sent to border.entry.visas@homeaffairs.gov.au
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Typhoon moving away
Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Philippines
At 1200 hours UTC today (4 December), Typhoon Kammuri (local name Tisoy) was at 13.4 deg. N, 119.6 deg. E and moving westwards at 20 km/h.
Land interaction has taken its toll on the system, which is now moving away from Mindoro and into the South China Sea. It now consists of fragments of convection located mainly to the north and west of the centre. The eyewall and internal structure have mostly collapsed, although some remnants of the eastern eyewall remain just off the western coast of Mindoro.
Kammuri has shown some signs of beginning the anticipated turn toward the west-northwest in the last couple of hours, and this motion is expected to continue during the next day or so. By Thursday, strong northeasterly surface wind flow and rapidly increasing southwesterly wind shear are likely to cause very rapid weakening, and Kammuri is likely to quickly degenerate into a remnant low by Friday as it gets pushed toward the southwest.
Hazardous conditions are likely to continue for the next several hours over the southwestern portions of Luzon and the western coast of Mindoro. Conditions elsewhere in the Philippines should gradually improve during the next few hours.
For more details and updates, and information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com
Container terminal operations
Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Subic Bay, Philippines
There are currently no vessel operations at Subic Bay International Container Terminal due to continuing precautionary measures against Typhoon Kammuri (Tisoy). Resumption of vessel operations will be advised by the Seaport Department, while 24/7 yard and gate operations were scheduled to resume at 07:00 hours today (4 December).
These safety protocols are in compliance with regulations on port closures and weather disturbances. An advisory is expected related to any changes to the port status tomorrow.
The closures will increase demand for deliveries and receiving from the port opening into next week. Heavier than usual activity in the yard and heavier traffic around the port should be expected.
All roads to and from SBITC are passable, specifically:
a. Argonaut Highway – passable
b. Maritan Highway – passable
c. San Bernardino Road – passable
d. Tipo / Subic Freeport Expressway / SCTEX – passable
For more details and updates, and information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com
Re-opening of terminal after typhoon
Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Bataan, Philippines
Petron Bataan Refinery Terminal facilities (Main Product Pier, LPG Pier 2, Conventional Buoy Mooring, Single Buoy Mooring and Molten Sulfur Pier) reopened at 11:05 hours local time today (4 December) upon improvement of sea condition and wind velocity.
This was in line with PAGASA’s weather update at 11:00 hours on Tropical Cyclone “Tisoy” with the lifting of all Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal over the Bataan area.
For information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com
Installation of floating sea barrier
Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Singapore
From 4 December 2019 to 30 April 2020, work to install a floating sea barrier will be carried out at Selat Sengkir.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.125 of 2019, the work will be conducted 24 hours daily – including Sundays and Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 01 deg. 15·415’N / 103 deg. 50·443’E
2) 01 deg. 15·240’N / 103 deg. 50·508’E
3) 01 deg. 15·263’N / 103 deg. 50·307’E
4) 01 deg. 15·209’N / 103 deg. 50·233’E
5) 01 deg. 15·291’N / 103 deg. 50·193’E
Installation of floating sea barrier will be carried out using crane and work barges. These barges will be assisted by tugs.
Safety boats will be deployed to warn other craft in the vicinity of the working area.
Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.
When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to:
a) Keep well clear and not to enter the working area;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 18 (Keppel Control);
and
e) Communicate with Keppel Control on VHF Channel 18 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
