MPA unveils initiatives to move Singapore towards greener maritime future

SINGAPORE on Wednesday unveiled a slew of initiatives to cut shipping emissions at its port.

Among the initiatives, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it would waive five years of port dues for new vessels fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a much cleaner energy source compared to coal and fuel oil.

These vessels must be registered with MPA between Oct 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 2019.

MPA will also grant an additional 10 per cent concession in port dues for the Green Port Programme qualifying vessels that engage LNG-fuelled harbour craft for their port operations.

The port authority said it has awarded S$8 million to Harley Marine Asia, Keppel Smit Towage and Maju Maritime under its co-funding programme for building vessels fuelled by LNG.

MPA has also expanded its international focus group, formed in 2014 to cooperate on LNG bunkering, to include the Port of Jacksonville; Norwegian Maritime Authority; the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan; and the Ulsan Port Authority, Republic of Korea. The other members comprised the ports of Singapore, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zebrugee.