The green aspects of shipping affect not only shipping companies but port operators and regulators as well. Singapore, being a major transshipment port and global hub, is keenly aware of these elements and is doing its part to be part of the solution.
The port’s regulatory body, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), says: “As a major hub port and a coastal state along a very busy waterway, Singapore has substantive interests in protecting the marine environment and ensuring that shipping is environmentally responsible.”
MPA recognises that over the years there have been an increased general awareness on sustainable development and the need to be environmentally-friendly. Singapore is a firm supporter of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and participates actively in its work to develop a wide range of measures to prevent and control pollution from ships. For instance, Singapore and the other IMO member states have been working together to address the burning issue of greenhouse gas emissions from ships.
“Singapore’s support of IMO’s work on the environment is underscored by Singapore being party to many of the IMO Conventions on environmental protection, including all six Annexes of the MARPOL Convention, the primary IMO instrument for the prevention of pollution from ships,” says MPA.
Among other regulatory moves adopted by the IMO are the Anti-Fouling Systems (AFS) Convention, which Singapore became a party to in 2010, and the Ballast Water Management Convention, which Singapore is actively looking into acceding to.
But the job of balancing all the diverse interests in the industry is not an easy one. “To effectively address the complex environmental challenges, there is a need for all stakeholders in the maritime industry to play an active role,” says MPA. To bring this about, the agency has adopted a multi-pronged approach to provide a conducive environment for the maritime industry to adopt more environmentally-friendly practices and operations, both in port and at sea.
MPA has also established several clean energy and research programmes, including the Maritime Clean Energy Research Programme with the Nanyang Technological University, MPA-DNV Maritime Environment & Clean Energy Technologies Programme and MPA-Temasek Polytechnic Maritime Fuel Cell Research Initiative.
