Singapore Port

Singapore is forging ahead to maintain it’s leading position as a Hub port in S.E.Asia and as the premium Shipping centre in the world: http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/132862/

Will we see twin 40 box cranes like other new ports?

My first encounter with Singapore was early 1967 and I remember using our lifeboat from anchorage and mooring it alongside Clifford pier. I don’t remember any police or custom checks. Just opposite was the Change Alley where we bought some music appliances made in Japan. Very shiny with small levers and lots of Chrome. Next step was the GPO for dropping mail. Very important. Later on we went to Tiger Balm Garden because entrance was free and a stunning view. The motives for foto-shooting were gorgeous. Do you remember Bugis-Street ? I still have some fotos from those at that time really exotic “girls”. You could drive around the island by bus ( 20 cts./ride) and take some sunbathing at Changi beach. Lots of our guys went to the Peoples Park Complex. First time in my life I encountered signs like 100 Dollars fine for litter or you might get shot for trespassing. Very clean city, very polite people and we felt very secure . Anyhow, years later I hated those bunker-cheaters !

The mandatory use of MFM was suppose to curb the problem with stolen bunker fuel within Singapore Port Limits.
It now appear that some enterprising bunker suppliers have found ways to bypass even this measure: http://www.gard.no/web/updates/content/23516144/singapore-use-of-mass-flow-meters

To check the ullage in all cargo tanks on the bunker barge before and after every bunkering operation should still be standard procedure, but the problem is that the fuel is sometime syphoned off to other places, like cofferdams, partitioned off ballast tanks, or there are airbags hidden in the cargo tanks that can be inflated or deflated as required to give false ullage readings.

It is not easy to get rid of this problem, unless all Bunker Supplier and Surveyors (and Chief Engineers) are totally incorruptible.

My dear ombugge, now at least you owe me a smiley. When I first entered this forum and mentioned my disappointment with the Singapore bunker supplier community and that I never had been cheated more in my life than there you obviously felt the twinge to support them. Now we are still talking about that particular problem despite having mass flowmeters and other improvements in tank soundings etc. They are crooks and they still are.
Anyhow, we all err and there are exceptions as always:wink:

No I did NOT support the crocked Bunker Suppliers and/or Bunker Surveyors, but the Government and particularly MPA Singapore for trying everything in their power to improve the situation.

That there are still some that try and succeed in circumventing the efforts doesn’t surprise me, as I have been involved in trying to stop this kind of rackets in other parts of S.E.Asia and know a thing or two about how it is done.

May I be so bold as to point out that “it take two to tango”. Without the co-operation of the Chief Engineer at the receiving end when bunkering it is hard to succeed in this racket after MFM was intrioduced.

I know that the Chief Engineer is a busy man, but if he take the time to PERSONALLY inspect the bunkering barge for means of siphoning off fuel AFTER the MFM, before bunkering operation commence, it would be hard to cheat.

I also know that brown envelopes miraculously appearing under the blotter in his office sometimes is an incentive to NOT do so. (Not that I imply that YOU would ever have been doing so)

Singapore is not planning to be overtaken as the world’s busiest port overall anytime soon: http://www.ship-technology.com/features/featureport-authority-of-singapores-big-innovation-push-5852821/

A foreign company is allowed to do a job in Singapore waters, using foreign flag vessels.
How can that be when there are dozens of Singapore companies with the same qualifications and capable vessels being idle?? : http://splash247.com/mermaid-maritime-secures-singapore-subsea-contract/

Oh I forgot, Singapore is an open market allowing free competition.
Besides, protecting your own market may backfire for a small country with companies and vessels working worldwide.

SSA boss answer back when Singapore is attacked by his counterpart in the UK: http://splash247.com/singapore-shipping-head-responds-uk-counterparts-attack/

SembCorp is struggling to stay afloat, but they are looking at new fields to keep going: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Sembcorp-profits-tumble-on-industry-downturn-market-disruptions
Hopefully their new CEO will bring new ideas to the table: http://www.sembmarine.com/directors/mr-neil-mcgregor/
His long and diverse experience from running large corporations in Singapore and elsewhere is an advantage.

SembCorp has found another niche to keep it going: http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/sembcorp-marine-signs-letter-of-intent-with-seaone-for-the-construction-of-large-compressed-gas-liquid-carriers/

Design is by their wholly owned Naval Architect & Design subsidiary in Norway, LMG Marin AS: http://www.lmgmarin.no/

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And Keppel doing something else…

Ah yes, Keppel and SembCorp, both partly owned by the Singapore Government but operated as independent entities along strictly commercial lines. Will they be merged???

Singapore is forging ahead in shipping, regardless of the present depressed market: http://splash247.com/singapore-identifies-connectivity-innovation-talent-bid-stay-top-maritime/

This article appeared in Straits Times a few days ago: http://www.straitstimes.com/business/mpa-road-map-charts-spores-maritime-future

Not only in Singapore, but in London as well: http://splash247.com/sgx-baltic-essentially-combination-dry-bulk-freight/

The new Mega Container Terminal at Tuas Phase 1 has reached halfway mark: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tuas-mega-port-first-phase-of-works-crosses-halfway-mark

A well known name in Shipping as a major manufacturer of cargo handling equipment and hatch covers are moving their HQ to Singapore: http://splash247.com/macgregor-shifts-head-office-singapore/

Singapore’s yards are still suffering:

http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/the-ship-is-still-sinking-for-singapores-shipyard-sector/

Being stuck with rigs already constructed is adding to the frustration:

But a bit of light at the end of the tunnel helps on the general mood:

Singapore is safeguarding against any unwanted takeover of strategically important port functions in Singapore, or in Singapore companies with control of port activity:

This long overdue for the US. We need this. We needed it 20 years ago.

Sembmarine cleaning out the closet: