The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is expanding and extending its Maritime Singapore Green Initiative (MSGI) from July 1, 2016 to ships using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to drive sustainable shipping and encourage LNG as an alternative fuel source.
The MSGI was established in 2011 and includes a number of programmes to encourage the reduction of shipping emissions.
The voluntary Green Ship Programme (GSP) encourages Singapore-flagged ships to reduce their CO2 and sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions. Ships that prove that their Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) exceeds the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) requirements and who have approved SOx scrubber technology exceeding International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s requirements will get a 75% reduction of Initial Registration Fees and 50% rebate on Annual Tonnage Tax.
To date the programme has seen more than 50% of qualifying ships exceed the current EEDI framework.
The Green Port Programme (GPP) is another initiative that encourages ocean-going ships to reduce emissions of pollutants and has seen more than 37,000 vessels switch to marine fuel with a sulphur content of no more than 1%. This will now be reduced to 0.5% for ships calling at Singapore and will reward them with a flat rate of 25% concession in port dues for entire stay at the Port of Singapore. Ships using LNG in will also have a similar concession.
The Green Technology Programme (GTP), which allows registered companies engaging in maritime-related businesses such as terminal operations, ship operations and harbour craft operations to reap financial benefits, saw more than 20 projects, with over 60 ships, encouraging the MPA to extend the MSGI to December 31, 2019.
The Green Energy Programme (GEP) promotes adoption of alternate or cleaner marine fuels as well as wider adoption of energy efficient operational measures, in anticipation of developments on the global sulphur emissions cap. To date US $8.9 million has been committed towards the LNG pilot programme.
The MPA is also introducing two new programmes under the MSGI, including the Green Awareness Programme (GAP), which focuses on creating awareness on possible avenues towards sustainable shipping, and the Maritime Singapore Green Pledge, as well as regular sustainability workshops and forums.
Andrew Tan, Chief executive of MPA, commented: “The extension of the MSGI Programme is a strong demonstration of our commitment towards an environmentally friendly and sustainable global hub port. We hope that the enhancement to the MSGI will incentivise the maritime industry to continue with their efforts to provide safe, efficient and sustainable shipping.”
Ship Efficiency Review News
To contact the reporter responsible for this article, please email editor@fathom-mi.com
