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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued a circular to owners of foreign-flagged vessels regarding the need for vessels greater than 1,000 gross tons (gt) to carry on board a Bunker Convention Certificate (BCC) when entering the port of Singapore.

With effect from 21st November 2008, vessels will be required to carry the BCC on board in order to attest that insurance or other financial security to cover liability for bunker oil pollution damage is in place.

The MPA pointed out that an oil tanker with a gross tonnage greater than 1000, whether actually carrying oil in bulk (ie when laden) or with oil residues onboard during the voyage following carriage of oil (ie on ballast voyage) would already be covered by the Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 1992 (CLC 92) and need not carry a BCC when entering or leaving the port of Singapore.

However, an oil tanker which is greater than 1,000 gt would be required to carry a BCC in the exceptional circumstance where she is operating in completely ‘clean’ condition, i.e. when it can be proven that there are no residues from the carriage of oil in, or remaining in its cargo tanks (for instance, when she is making her maiden voyage as a new-build from the shipyard).

Currently, all ships calling at the port of Singapore are required to submit a Notification of Arrival (NOA) prior to their arrival. With effect from 21st November 2008, all ships will need to indicate in the NOA, if the ship possesses a valid BCC issued by a Convention Party.

For foreign ships that enter the port of Singapore with a valid BCC, ship owners or agents can continue to apply for Electronic Port Clearance through the the MPA's online Marinet service, which is located at http://marinet.mpa.gov.sg. Ship owners or agents are required to submit a copy of the BCC, in addition to the other required certificates, upon the ship’s departure.

For foreign ships that do not possess a valid BCC, ship owners or agents will be required to submit their application for a BCC through the Marinet service at least 3 working days prior to the ship’s arrival.

The applicant will need to attach a soft copy, in pdf format, of the insurance policy (Blue Card) issued by any one of the 13 IG P&I Clubs. The applicant will receive a confirmation via email or SMS text when an in-principle approval is given. The BCC will be valid until February 20th 2009 and the cost of issuing the BCC is $60.

The MPA has also announced that it is currently evaluating a group of Fixed Premium Underwriters (FPU) and other P&I clubs whose insurance can be accepted for the purpose of issuing a BCC. A list of recognised FPUs and P&I clubs is due to be published in the near future.

Ships insured by the recognized FPUs or P&I clubs will need to submit their application for a BCC through Marinet at least 3 working days prior to the ship’s arrival. The applicant will need to attach a pdf copy of the Blue Card issued by any of the listed FPU or P&I Clubs.

BCCs issued for this category of ships will only be valid for the period of port stay. For subsequent visits to the port of Singapore, provided there are no changes to the details in the Blue Card including the validity period of the insurance, the agents of the ships will be able to obtain a BCC valid for the period of port stay.

Ships will be charged a fee of S$60 for the issuance of a BCC on their first port call. No further fees will be charged for issuance of a BCC for subsequent port calls made by the ship before February 20th 2009.

Foreign ships that are insured with insurance companies that are not recognized by MPA are advised to secure appropriate insurance cover through any of the marine insurance brokers listed at Annex 2 at least two weeks prior to their arrival at the port of Singapore.

Ships that have secured appropriate insurance cover are required to submit their application for a BCC through Marinet at least 3 working days prior to the ship’s arrival. Ships that are unable to secure appropriate insurance cover may be denied entry into the port of Singapore.