Ships that comply with the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO's) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code before the 1 July 2004 deadline will receive a 5% rebate on port dues when they call at the Singapore port. Between 1 May 2004 and 30 June 2004, ships that produce a valid International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) or a statement of compliance with the ISPS Code issued by the flag State, before arrival or during its stay in port, will qualify for the 5% discount on port dues. This incentive, valid for the two-months period, is Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's (MPA's) effort to encourage and reward ships that comply with the ISPS Code early. The incentive was announced by Mr Lee Seng Kong, Senior Director, MPA, at the close of the 8th ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group Meeting(1) held from 28-29 April 04. Mr Lee said, "The 5% port dues rebate to reward ships that are ISPS-compliant before the 1 July 2004 deadline, underscores Singapore's support for the work of the IMO in enhancing maritime and port security globally." Mr Lee also shared that, "Maritime security is not an issue that any one nation can address on its own. It requires co-operation and concerted efforts from countries around the world. The various discussions and workshops that have been organised under the ambit of ASEAN, including this Working Group and the first ASEAN Forum on IMO Conventions held earlier this week, highlight the importance for the MPA to work with its maritime counterparts to put in place the required maritime security regime." Apart from the Working Group meetings, the MPA has also hosted or participated in a number of regional workshops and discussions on maritime security, to share its experience in the implementation of the ISPS Code. For example, in 2003, MPA hosted two ASEAN/IMO workshops on the implementation of IMO conventions and initiated the ASEAN-Japan maritime security project on the ISPS Code. It participated in a number of maritime security conferences and meetings initiated by the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC). The training courses conducted by the MPA under the Singapore-IMO Third Country Training Programme also cover maritime security-related issues. About 61 participants from 12 countries attended these courses in 2003. Bilaterally, the MPA has conducted a Maritime Security Course for some 100 Indonesian seafarers under the Singapore-Indonesia MOU on Co-operation in the Field of Education and Training for Seafarers. Singapore's ships and port facilities are on track to comply with the ISPS Code by 1 July 2004. To date, all Singapore port facilities serving passenger ships and cargo ships of 500GT and above have been issued with Statements of Compliance of a Port Facility (SoCPF). PSA Corporation and Sembawang Shipyard were among the firsts to have their facilities security certified. For the Singapore-flagged ships that are required to comply with the ISPS Code, about 85% have either attained their security certificates, submitted their security plans or had them approved. Neptune Shipmanagement Services Pte Ltd (NSSPL) was the first company in Singapore to have its fleet of 31 Singapore-flagged container ships comply with the ISPS Code. More recently, Lloyd's Register of Shipping (LRS) became the first Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) to have certified more than 100 Singapore-registered vessels. Amendments to the relevant regulations have been made to give legislative effect to the ISPS Code. These are the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) (Amendment) Regulations 2004. The amendments will enter into effect on 1 July 04. From 1 July 04, ships calling at Singapore's port will be subject to control and compliance measures. These were detailed in our earlier Shipping Circular No. 11 of 2004, issued on 21 April 04. While Singapore's ships and port facilities are making good progress in their ISPS Code compliance, there is still work to be done. MPA will continue to work with the parties involved to help facilitate early compliance. (1) The ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group is the main ASEAN body dealing with maritime issues. The Working Group reports to the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meetings (STOM). Singapore hosts and chairs the Working Group meetings from 2002 to 2004. End of Release. Attached: MPA Shipping Circular No. 11 of 2004

Attached:

MPA Shipping Circular No. 11 of 2004