The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has signed Instruments with nine classification societies on the Appointment and Authorisation for Statutory Certification and Survey Services for Vessels Registered in Singapore. The nine classification societies, all of which are members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), are: American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, China Classification Society, Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd, Korean Register of Shipping, Lloyds Register of Shipping, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai and RINA SpA.

The purpose of the Instruments, which will take effect from 1 Aug 02, is to appoint and authorise the nine classification societies to perform statutory certification and survey services for Singapore-flagged ships. This is another effort by the MPA to further improve the quality of the Singapore merchant fleet. The signing of the Instruments brings our procedures in line with the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO's) Resolution A.739(18), "Guidelines for the Authorisation of Organisations Acting on behalf of the Administration", which was developed by the IMO to assist maritime administrations in formalising the delegation of authority to organisations, for statutory surveys and certification.

In essence, the signing of the Instruments formalises the existing close working relationship between the MPA and the classification societies, and provides a formal framework for the classification societies to carry out their delegated duties. It also makes the classification societies more accountable for their work, and provides a basis for the MPA to better oversee the work carried out by the classification societies on its behalf. The Instruments spell out the scope, terms, conditions and requirements to be met when classification societies carry out statutory surveys and issue relevant certificates to Singapore ships on behalf of the MPA. Among other things, the classification societies are required to conduct surveys and certification according to the MPA's regulations and international conventions, and may be subject to supervision and audits conducted by the MPA. The Instruments also provide for administrative sanctions against organisations found to be recalcitrant.

The Instruments were signed under the Merchant Shipping (Authorised Organisations) Regulations 2002, which will be promulgated also on 1 Aug 02. Previously, the appointment and authorisation of the nine classification societies were by legislation, and gazetted in the Merchant Shipping (Authorised Organisations) Regulations 1996. With the amended Regulations and the development of the Instruments, the MPA is now able to authorise or terminate the services of classification societies without having to make amendments to legislation, which in turn allows the MPA to better respond to changing circumstances.

The Instruments are valid for three years, and are subject to renewal by 12 months' notice prior to their expiration.

End of Release.