Maritime Security Notices,Shipping Circulars
No. 21 of 2003

13 Oct 2003

MARINE CIRCULAR TO SHIPOWNERS

Applicable to: Ship owners and ship managers of Singapore ships.

This circular highlights the need for the early implementation of the amendements to SOLAS 74 adopted by the IMO Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security held in London in December 2002

1. The IMO Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security held in London in December 2002 adopted several amendments to SOLAS 74. The amendments are expected to come into force on 1 July 2004. Marine Circular No.3 of 2003 dated 12 March 2003 highlighted the essential elements of these amendments. Your attention is drawn to para 2 (c)(i) & (ii) on the marking of ship's identification number. Regulation XI-1/3 of SOLAS 74, requires that all passenger ships of 100 GT and upwards and all cargo ships of 300 GT and upwards to be permanently marked with an identification number (IMO number).
2. Owners of ships, to which this Regulation applies, are urged to make arrangements for their ships to be marked with the identification number as soon as practically possible. Ships that are constructed before 1 July 2004 have to comply with the above requirement not later than the first scheduled dry-docking of the ship after 1 July 2004. The guidance note on the marking of ship's IMO number is attached to this Circular.In implementing the requirement, owners of ships are requested to obtain the ship's Carving and Marking Note from the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) counter during office hours.Alternatively, on request, the SRS could mail the Carving and Marking Note to you
3. Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to Mr Chandru S R at 63756217 or Ms Emily Sihab at 63756227.

LEE SENG KONG
DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE