MPA issued a Port Marine Notice 101/2025 wrt advice issued by National Parks Board, Singapore. THe circular issued is appended to the Port Marine Notice.
This circular serves to inform all shippers of the procedure for managing live animals on board ships bound for Singapore, that may have boarded the ship undetected and are not meant for import into Singapore (“stowaway animal”).
As these stowaway animals may be carrying diseases, they pose a biosecurity threat to Singapore through the potential introduction of such diseases into Singapore.
We would like to remind the shipping community to remain vigilant and exercise responsibility in ensuring that there is no stowaway animal on board the ship or in any cargo container on board the ship prior to arrival in Singapore.
Should you encounter any stowaway animal on board the ship, please report this to the Animal & Veterinary Service (“AVS”) at 1800 476 1600 or a port officer, and ensure that the stowaway animal is confined on the ship at all times and not be brought on land, unless authorised by AVS.
Please note that:
(a) pursuant to section 11(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965 (“the Act”), the master of any ship on which there is any animal or bird, whether that animal or bird is intended to be landed in Singapore or not, must immediately on the first arrival of the ship at a port, in Singapore report the fact to a port officer who must without delay inform an authorised officer of AVS.
(b) pursuant to section 13(1) of the Act, any animal or bird imported or transhipped by sea must, unless an authorised officer has authorised its landing, at all times while on board the ship in any port, be confined in an enclosed part of the ship or in a cage or kennel.
Any person who fails to make a report of the presence of any animal or bird on any ship as is required under section 11(1) of the Act, and/or fails to confine the animal on board the ship in a port in contravention of section 13(1) of the Act shall be guilty of an offence under section 11(4)(a) and section 13(3)(a) of the Act respectively and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both for each offence.
Please contact Ms Nicole Siew at nicole_siew@nparks,gov.sg if you have any questions