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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has today reminded bunker buyers and suppliers that they will be required to use fuel oil with a maximum sulphur content of 3.5 percent from the start of next year.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), through MARPOL Annex VI, has reduced the global marine fuel sulphur limit. Under Regulation 14 of the revised MARPOL Annex VI, the sulphur content of any fuel oil used onboard ships outside Emission Control Areas shall not exceed 3.50% m/m on and after 1 January 2012, unless they are equipped with type-approved abatement technologies for reducing SOx emissions to the required levels.

"As Singapore is a Party to MARPOL Annex VI, we have international treaty obligations to give effect to the amendments when they enter into force. Hence, ships calling at the Port of Singapore and operating within the Port of Singapore have to comply with the amendments," the port authority said.

"Shipowners, bunker buyers and bunker suppliers are advised to ensure that the absolute sulphur content of any fuel oil used onboard ships in the Port of Singapore does not exceed 3.50% m/m as required under Regulation 14 of the revised MARPOL Annex VI and are encouraged to take early actions to ensure compliance," the MPA added.

For clarification on the issue, please contact the MPA's Mr Zafrul Alam (Tel: +65 6375 6204) or Mr Princet Ang (Tel: +65 6375 6259).