Singapore to End Port Dues Concession for Bunker Tankers

GAC A 50 percent port dues concession for MARPOL-compliant double hulled (MCDH) port limit bunker tankers will be withdrawn as of January 1, 2018, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The concession was introduced in January 2012 with an aim to encourage the use of MCDH port limit bunker tankers in the Port of Singapore. Starting from 2015, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has required heavy fuel oil to only be carried by such tankers. As the IMO requirement has been in force since then, MPA Singapore informed that it would be withdrawing the existing 50% port dues concession. With effect from January 1, 2018, all port limit bunker tankers will be required to pay port dues in full at the prescribed rate on an annual basis, the authority said, adding that MCDH port limit bunker tankers with keel laid date before January 1, 2018 will continue to enjoy the 50% port dues concession until they reach 5 years of age.