MPA Singapore has issued shipping circular 16/2024 to r draws your attention to Resolution A.1192(33), adopted by the 33rd session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly on 6 December
2023.
Shipowners, ship managers, operators and masters of Singapore-registered ships are thus reminded to adhere to safety and pollution prevention requirements in IMO Conventions, especially regulations 19 and 19-1 of chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, and chapter 8 of Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL),
1973, and comply with safe shipping standards.
Chapter 8 of Annex I of MARPOL 1973 requires any oil tanker involved in STS operations to carry on board an approved STS operations Plan. Where the STS operations are planned within the territorial sea, or the exclusive economic zone of a MARPOL 1973 member State, the oil tanker is required to notify that member State in advance of the planned STS operations.
Singapore-registered oil tankers planning to engage in mid-ocean STS operations are requested to update the ship’s STS operations Plan to include a notification to MPA Shipping Division via email at shipping@mpa.gov.sg with the information in Annex B, prior to carrying out the mid-ocean STS operations.
The reporting format and IMO resolution is attached to the Shipping Circular
Operators may need to amend the STS plan for its vessel registered with Singapore Flag.