The world’s busiest port by shipping tonnage issued a circular on Tuesday reminding ship masters and owners “take all necessary measures to prevent their vessels from emitting excessive soot, ash, or dark smoke from engine exhaust and/or ancillary shipboard machineries throughout the duration of vessel stay in port”.
The MPA said it took a serious view of vessels emitting excessive smoke that could adversely affect air quality and warned that it take stern action against offenders.
It quoted regulation 66 of its port regulations that: “No person may cause smoke, soot, ash or grit to be emitted from a vessel in such quantity or density as may, in the opinion of the Authority, be a nuisance.”
Offenders can be prosecuted in court and fined up to SGD5,000 if convicted.
In January this Seatrade Maritime News highlighted the environmental image of shipping with pictures taken from Singapore’s East Coast park of vessels belching black smoke from their funnels at anchorage.
Read More: The shipping industry’s real environmental image
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