MPA to ban wash water discharge

To prepare for the IMO 2020 Fuel Oil Sulphur Limit, ships fitted with open-loop scrubbers calling at Singapore will be required to use compliant fuel and ships fitted with hybrid scrubbers will be required to switch to the closed-loop mode of operation, stated Andrew Tan, chief executive of MPA.

Speaking at the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) Forum 2018 on 30 November, he said: “To protect the marine environment and ensure that the port waters are clean, the discharge of wash water from open-loop exhaust gas scrubbers in Singapore port waters will be prohibited.”

More guidance ahead

Singapore, as a party to MARPOL Annex VI, will be providing reception facilities for the collection of residues generated from the operation of scrubbers, Mr Tan confirmed.

In addition to working with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) to produce two technical guidance books for ships to comply with the IMO 2020 regulations, MPA will be issuing another set of guidance by the second quarter of 2019, covering topics such as fuel availability in Singapore, reception facilities for scrubber residues, and enforcement measures.

MPA will produce a list of suppliers that are able to supply compliant fuel by the middle of next year.

The IMO 2020 Fuel Oil Sulphur Limit requires that from 1 January 2020, all ships are required to use compliant fuel oil of not more than 0.5% sulphur content. In addition, ships are not allowed to carry non-compliant fuel oil from 1st March 2020.

Remote health monitoring was one of the topics discussed at MPA’S Smart Port Challenge 2018 pitch day on 29 November.

Ms Quah Ley Hoon will take over the position of chief executive from Mr Tan on 1 Jan 2019.