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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has today notified ship operators regarding reporting procedures for the notification of arrival for vessels less than 300 GT.

In a circular released today, the MPA said: "Pursuant to Section 44 of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Cap. 170A) and Regulation 3 of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations 1997, the Port Master hereby directs that with effect from 1 January 2012 at 00:01hrs, the owner, agent, master or person-in-charge of a vessel of less than 300 GT shall notify the Port Master at least 12 hours prior to the arrival of the vessel at Singapore."

"The Notification of Arrival report shall be addressed to the Port Master and provides the information in the reporting format as shown in Appendix 1."

Notification of arrival will be required to be transmitted via any of the following means:

Marinet (marinet.mpa.gov.sg/)
An Electronic Data Interchange system for electronic transaction between the shipping community and the MPA.

E-mail
noa@mpa.gov.sg

Telefax
+65 6224 5776

Telex
RS 34970 (Answer Back PORTPM 34970)

A vessel returning from a location in the Singapore Strait may transmit the notification of arrival report via VHF radio immediately on departure from the location. This report shall be transmitted on VHF Channel 10 for a vessel in the VTIS East sector, VHF Channel 14 for a vessel in the VTIS Central sector or VHF Channel 73 for a vessel in the VTIS West sector of the Singapore Strait.

For further information regarding reporting procedures, please contact Captain Lim Cheng Hai on +65 6325 2453.