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Registering a Bunker Tanker

The procedure to apply or renew the port limit manning licence for the harbour craft manning crew.

The “SB” licence

A bunker tanker requires a licence under “SB” (for the carriage of class A, B or C petroleum).

A “SB” licence is issued to a craft for the carriage in bulk of petroleum liquefied gases, liquid chemicals or animal/vegetable oils. All steel bunker tankers must comply with the Category ”A” standards.

Class A, B or C petroleum

The Petroleum Products in bulk are classified by their flash point as follows:

  • Class A - any petroleum whose flash point is less than 23 degrees Celsius and includes liquefied petroleum gas.
  • Class B - any petroleum whose flash point is between 23 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius.
  • Class C - any petroleum whose flash point is above 60 degrees Celsius.

However, the licence issued to craft that supply marine bunker fuel to ships is for carriage of only Class “C” petroleum for operation within the port limits of Singapore.

Craft owners who wish to apply for SB licences for the carriage of only Class “C” Petroleum for operation within Port Limits of Singapore are required to deposit the Tank Calibration Tables.

Craft owners and operators of bunker barges/tankers who wish to apply for new SB licences or who wish to renew the SB licences must deposit a true copy of all their bunker barges/tankers Tank Calibration Tables with MPA. Please call 6325 2311 for more details.

Application

The PM74 application form and the originals and copies of the following documents should be submitted:

  • Applicant(s) identification in the form of:
    • NRIC(s) for licensing in the name of one or more individuals; or
    • Instant Information Printout from ACRA for licensing in the name of a corporate body.
  • Proof of ownership
    • Bill of Sale, Charter Agreement, Builders’ Certificate, Hull Receipt of invoice.
    • Proof of Origin of Vessel
    • Launching Permit or Import Permit, General Arrival Declaration, whichever is applicable.
  • Insurance policy
    • A marine policy covering third party liabilities including wreck removal and personal/passengers injuries (see details on insurance).
  • Craft’s manning
    • MPA manning licence (see minimum certificated manning on harbour craft). In addition, fire-fighting certificates are required for all manning crew onboard. Master in command of a CAT ‘A’ Bunker Tanker is required to submit a valid Port Limit Tanker Master Certificate.
  • For wooden craft
    • Cargo Tank Survey Report issued by any one of the nine recognised Classification Societies.
  • For steel craft
    • The safety certificates required for the purpose of licensing a Port Limit Tanker are as follows:
    • Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate issued under the Merchant Shipping (Non-Convention Ships) Safety Regulations, 1981;
    • Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (30-mile limit) issued under the Merchant Shipping (Non-Convention Ships) Safety Regulations, 1981;
    • Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate issued under the Merchant Shipping (Non-Convention Ships) Safety Regulations, 1981 OR a Ship Station Licence;
    • International Load Line Certificate issued under the Merchant shipping (Load Line) Regulations, 1971.
    • International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 1992 (CLC 92).
      The aforesaid safety certificates shall be issued by any one of the nine recognised Classification Societies or the Shipping Division of MPA. Attestation giving effect to each of the aforesaid certificate issued by any of the nine recognised Classification Societies is also acceptable.

An LNG/LPG tanker or a chemical tanker must in addition have a valid certificate of fitness issued under the IMO code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk or under the IMO code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk whichever is applicable.

An oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above and any other ships of 400 gross tons and above while in Singapore waters must be in possession of the following relevant certificates:

  • International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP); or
  • Singapore Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (SOPP);
    together with the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan.
  • Tankers of any size carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk in addition to the certificates mentioned in point 8 [pls check] (yes correct) above must also be in possession of the following certificates:
  • International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk (NLS Certificate); or
  • Certificate of Fitness issued under the International Bulk Chemical Code or the Bulk Chemical Code; or
  • Singapore Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk (SNLS Certificate).

Any other documents/requirements as may be required by the Port Master.

Marking and fitting

Every harbour craft endorsed for the carriage of petroleum, explosives or dangerous goods within Port Limits shall have:

  • A broad band not less than 60 cm wide, painted around the hull of the harbour craft. The upper edge of the band shall be at gunwale level and the band shall be painted in alternate and equal red and white sections not less than 90 cm long. No harbour craft shall at any time submerge any portion of the painted red and white band.
  • A suitable mast fitted with an electrically operational fixed red light visible at night all round the horizon at a range of not less than two miles.
  • A suitable towline made of flexible steel wires at least 25 mm in diameter and 200 metres in length.
  • A spark arrester of an approved type to be fitted at the outlet of every machinery and galley fire exhaust and at any other position as required by the Port Master.
  • A “No Smoking" or "No Naked Light” signboard to be displayed in a conspicuous position.
    An international code flag “B” of a suitable size.
  • Four portable foam extinguishers of 9 litres capacity each, stowed in readily accessible position near to the cargo holds.
  • A receptacle containing an adequate quantity of sand or other dry material suitable for extinguishing cargo fires and a scoop for distributing the content of the receptacle, stowed in a readily accessible position near to the cargo holds.
  • A suitable fire axe.
  • If carrying dangerous goods or explosives in packages, two pieces of hatch tarpauline (or equivalent) of adequate size and one large cargo safety net.
  • If carrying explosives, magazines certified as approved for such purpose by the Shipping Division of MPA shall be kept valid throughout the period of validity of the harbour craft licence.

Leaving the port

All SB licensed harbour craft shall not leave the port to go OPL or onto the high seas, without the prior written approval of the Port Master.

The approval of the Port Master may be subject to such conditions as the Port Master deems fit to impose, from time to time. The failure to comply with any such conditions set by the Port Master shall be deemed to be a contravention of the condition imposed hereunder, for which the Port Master may cancel or suspend the relevant harbour craft licence in accordance with Regulation 33 of the Regulations.

This takes effect since 20 Jul 2004.

For the avoidance of doubt, SB licensed harbour craft which leave the port limits to trade in other neighbouring ports shall not be deemed as going OPL or onto the high seas and are not required to seek the prior written approval of the Port Master.

Non-carriage of HFO by wooden bunker barges

All wooden bunker barges are to carry only MGO only.

This takes effect since 1 Oct 2004.

“Gate System”

New SB Harbour Craft Licence - tankers of 600 DWT and above to be licensed as harbour craft must comply with MARPOL requirements. Tankers below 600 DWT to be issued with new harbour craft licence for bunkering must be less than 5 years old.

This takes effect since 1 Apr 2008.

Existing Single-hulled Bunker Tankers Carrying Heavy Grade Oil (HGO)

Bunker tankers of 25 years and above are not allowed to carry HGO in port.

This takes effect since 1 Apr 2008.