SSA Annual Review 09/10 - Singapore Shipping Association

SSA ANNUAL REVIEW 2009/2010
34
ACTIVITIES REPORT
EU 0.1% Sulphur Requirements at Berth
With regard to the EU’s requirement that all
ships at berth in EU ports use fuel with a sulphur
content of 0.1% or less, the Technical Committee
members that trade to European ports shared their
experiences and best practices and noted that a
number of different approaches had been adopted.
The Committee further agreed that SSA will
monitor the situation closely.
• Maritime Security Sub-Committee
Chaired by Capt George Solomon of Neptune
Orient Lines Ltd, the Sub-Committee works
closely with the MPA, the ReCAAP Information
Sharing Centre (ISC), the Republic of Singapore
Navy (RSN) and other maritime security providers
to discuss proposed measures and submissions
concerning maritime security and to make the
appropriate recommendations including practical
measures to improve security arrangements
for ships.
The Sub-Committee also analysed the latest
situation of piracy and armed robbery that
threatened international shipping around the world.
With statistical and situational reports from the
International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and ReCAAP
ISC, the Sub-Committee studied the modus
operandi of the pirates.
In particular, whilst the Sub-Committee expressed
concern at the situation off the east coast of Africa,
which accounted for almost 50% of all attacks
reported in 2009, it was further agreed that the
industry should not disregard other areas such as
the west coast of Africa and the South China Sea.
In the absence of any solutions to stamp out the
root problem of piracy and ship hijacks in Gulf
of Aden and off the coast of Somalia, the Sub-
Committee strongly recommended the shipping
community to adopt the measures as listed in
the Industry Best Management Practices aimed at
countering piracy off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
In addition to providing feedback on the feasability
of such measures, the Sub-Committee agreed
that all SSA members should continue to share
experiences and best management practices.
The Sub-Committee further emphasised that,
regardless of the actual measures used, the ultimate
intent of any anti-piracy measures should be to
harden a vessel, making it less attractive as a target
for pirates.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
• Tanker Sub-Committee
The Tanker Sub-Committee is chaired by Capt
Surendra Dutt of Anglo-Eastern Shipmanagement
(Singapore) Pte Ltd. The Sub-Committee engages
itself in discussion mainly on issues emerging from
the IMO and some local operations.
Photo courtesy of A.P. Moller Singapore Pte Ltd
OCIMF/SIRE Inspections in Singapore
In early 2009, a set of guidelines and procedures
for SIRE Inspections at private terminals as well
as a SIRE Inspection Request Form (Singapore)
was developed through consultation with MPA,
Singapore Shipping Association, oil terminal
operators in Singapore, INTERTANKO and OCIMF.
Following the introduction of the guidelines, the
Sub-Committee has noted that members have
generally had good experiences with the guidelines.
The Sub-Committee will continue to monitor
members’ feedback.