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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued a list of recognised Fixed Premium Underwriters (FPU) and other P&I Clubs whose insurance can be accepted for the purpose of issuing a Bunker Convention Certificate (BCC) for ships arriving at the port of Singapore.

The list of recognised underwriters and P&I Clubs is as follows:

1) QBE Insurance (International) Limited
2) British Marine Luxembourg S.A.
3) Navigators Insurance Company
4) Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.
5) Tokio Marine Insurance Singapore Ltd.
6) China Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association
7) The Korea Shipowner's Mutual Protection & Indemnity Association

The announcement of the list follows a circular issued to members of the maritime industry in September, where the MPA revealed that it was preparing the necessary legislation to be brought into force on the same date the Convention comes into force internationally on the 21st November 2008.

The legislation requires ships of 1,000 gross tons (gt) and above to carry on board the Bunker Convention Certificate, which is intended to attest that insurance or other financial security to cover liability for pollution damage is in place.

The MPA pointed out that oil tankers with a gross tonnage greater than 1000, whether actually carrying oil in bulk (ie when laden) or with oil residues onboard during the voyage following carriage of oil (ie on ballast voyage) would already be covered by the Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 1992 (CLC 92) and need not carry a BCC when entering or leaving the port of Singapore.

However, an oil tanker which is greater than 1,000 gt would be required to carry a BCC in the exceptional circumstance where she is operating in completely ‘clean’ condition, i.e. when it can be proven that there are no residues from the carriage of oil in, or remaining in its cargo tanks (for instance, when she is making her maiden voyage as a new-build from the shipyard).

For ships that do not possess a valid BCC, ship owners or agents will be required to submit their application for a BCC through the MPA's online Marinet service - located at http://marinet.mpa.gov.sg - at least 3 working days prior to the ship’s arrival.

Applicants will need to attach a soft copy, in pdf format, of the insurance policy (Blue Card) issued by any one of the IG P&I Clubs. The applicant will receive a confirmation via email or SMS text when an in-principle approval is given. The BCC will be valid until February 20th 2009 and the cost of issuing the BCC is $60.

Ships insured by the recognized FPUs or P&I clubs will need to submit their application for a BCC through Marinet at least 3 working days prior to the ship’s arrival. All applicants will need to attach a pdf copy of the Blue Card issued by any of the listed FPU or P&I Clubs.

BCCs issued for this category of ships will only be valid for the period of port stay. For subsequent visits to the port of Singapore, provided there are no changes to the details in the Blue Card including the validity period of the insurance, the agents of the ships will be able to obtain a BCC valid for the period of port stay.

Ships will be charged a fee of S$60 for the issuance of a BCC on their first port call. No further fees will be charged for issuance of a BCC for subsequent port calls made by the ship before February 20th 2009.

Foreign ships that are insured with insurance companies that are not recognized by MPA are advised to secure appropriate insurance cover through any of the marine insurance brokers listed at Annex 2 at least two weeks prior to their arrival at the port of Singapore.

Ships that have secured appropriate insurance cover are required to submit their application for a BCC through Marinet at least 3 working days prior to the ship’s arrival. Ships that are unable to secure appropriate insurance cover may be denied entry into the port of Singapore.