No. 21 of 2011 - THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY CONVENTION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 2011
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF
SINGAPORE
SHIPPING CIRCULAR TO SHIP OWNERS
NO. 21 OF 2011
MPA Shipping Division
460 Alexandra Road
21st Storey PSA Building
Singapore 119963
Fax: 6375-6231
http://www.mpa.gov.sg
15 DECEMBER, 2011
Applicable to: Applicable to: Shipowners, shipmanagers, shipping-agents,
masters and officers of Singapore ships.
This circular is to inform shipowners, shipmanagers, shipping-agents,
masters and officers of Singapore ships of the Merchant Shipping (Safety
Convention)(Amendment) Regulations, 2011 which comes into effect on 1
January 2012.
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY CONVENTION) (AMENDMENT)
REGULATIONS, 2011
- The Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention)(Amendment) Regulations,
2011 comes into effect on 1 January 2012. These Regulations put into effect
the amendments to the regulations annexed to the International Convention
for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74) adopted by Resolutions
MSC.290(87) and MSC.291(87).
Note: The resolutions adopted by MSC 87 are contained in Shipping circular
no. 12 of 2010.
Overview of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention)(Amendment)
Regulations, 2011
- The significant changes brought about by the amendments are —
(a) Goal-based Standards for new ship construction (GBS). The adoption
of the GBS, for oil tankers and bulk carriers, meant that newly-
constructed vessels of these ship types will have to comply with
structural standards conforming to functional requirements developed
and agreed by the MSC1.
1 See International Goal-Based Ship Construction Standards for Bulk Carriers and Oil
Tankers, adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee by resolution MSC.287(87).
1
(b) Corrosion protection of cargo oil tanks of crude oil tankers. The new
SOLAS regulation requires cargo oil tanks on crude oil tankers and
crude oil/product carriers to be protected against corrosion. This
regulation makes the relevant performance standards2 mandatory.
While the date of entry into force of this requirement is 1 January 2012,
the requirements are actually applicable to ships from 1 January 2013
onwards. The definition of “crude oil tanker” has been taken from the
MARPOL Convention, as SOLAS currently does not have such a
definition.
(c) Gas measurement and detection. Currently, SOLAS requires oil
tankers to be equipped with at least one portable instrument for
measuring flammable vapour concentrations onboard. The amendment
to SOLAS requires all oil tankers (new and existing) to be equipped
with instruments also capable of measuring oxygen. Additionally, oil
tankers of 20,000 tons deadweight and above, constructed on or after 1
January 2012, are to be provided with a fixed hydrocarbon gas
detection system, complying with the Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code,
capable of measuring hydrocarbon gas concentrations in various
ballast and cargo tanks and double-bottom spaces (see Shipping
circular no. 12 of 2010 – resolution MSC.292(87)).
3 Copies of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention)(Amendment)
Regulations, 2011 (Government Gazette No. S 622/2011) may be purchased
at:
Toppan Leefung Pte Ltd
Legal Publication
Great World City
East Tower, #18-01/06
1, Kim Seng Promenade
Singapore 237994
Tel: 6826 9691
Fax: 6820 3341
e-mail: legalpub@toppanleefung.com
website: www.toppanleefung.com/webshop
Mon–Fri: 9.30am–6pm
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays: Closed.
4 Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to Mr. Ong Hua
Siong at tel No. 6375 6210.
CHEONG KENG SOON
DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
2 Performance standard for protective coatings for cargo oil tanks of crude oil tankers, or
“PSPC” adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee by resolution MSC.288(87).
2