---

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has said that its decision to postpone the introduction of additional port dues for older bunker tankers will benefit the operators of more than 100 bunker tankers.

Commenting on the decision, Captain M Segar, Group Director (Hub Port) said "We hope this deferment will contribute towards helping the industry adjust to the changing business climate.

"The bunkering industry is an important component of Singapore's maritime cluster, and integral to our growth as a premier hub port," Segar commented.

Earlier this week, the MPA announced that it was deferring the implementation date of additional port dues for bunker tankers that are 16 years old and above from 1st January 2009 to 1st January 2010.

The MPA said the introduction of the surcharge was meant to discourage the operation of older bunker tankers due to their higher impact on the environment and lower operational efficiency.

The measures were part of the MPA's "continuous efforts to grow the industry as a younger, more efficient and environmentally-friendly fleet of bunker tankers in the Port of Singapore".

The port dues surcharge will be implemented from 1st January 2010 in accordance with the table below.