In 2011, Singapore’s Maritime Port Authority initiated a clean and green shipping programme. Since that time 60 companies have signed the Maritime Singapore Green Pledge and 96 ships have been officially recognised as Green Ships.
While the Initiative does not directly address oil spill response, reduction in fuel consumption by ocean-going vessels can play a part in reducing the risk of an oil spill, and prevention is more desirable than response for protecting the health of marine wildlife and their environment.
The three-part Maritime Singapore Green Initiative includes the Green Ship Programme, Green Port Programme and Green Technology Programme. Companies and vessels are granted concessions on port fees and taxes based on their participation in the first two aspects of the Initiative. The Green Technology Programme provides grants for further improvements in clean and green shipping.
Green Ship Programme
The Green Ship Programme is administered by the Maritime and Port Authority and provides owners of Singapore-flagged ships with incentives to use energy efficient designs to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Vessels exceeding the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index pay lower taxes. Both the individual ship and the ship owner are given Green Certificates. In 2013, the Singapore International Maritime Awards will include an SRS Green Ship of the Year prize.
Green Port Programme and Green Technology Programme
The Green Port aspect of the Initiative encourages sulphur oxide emission reduction to improve air quality in the port. Ocean-going vessels that call at the Port of Singapore pay lower port dues when they use abatement/scrubber technology and/or clean fuels while within the Singapore Port Limits.
The third arm of the Initiative addresses further improvements in emission reduction by providing two grants a year to marine related Singapore-registered ship owners and companies involved in terminal, harbour craft or ship operations. Grantees may use the funds to develop and adopt new green technology to be implemented in Singapore.
The Maritime Singapore Green Pledge
As a responsible member of the international maritime community, we pledge to support and promote clean and green shipping in Singapore. We call upon the maritime community to join us in protecting and safeguarding our environment.