MARITIME PORT AUTHORITY (MPA)

Our Mission

To develop and promote Singapore as a premier global hub port and an international maritime centre, and to safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests.

Our Roles and Functions

Coming under the purview of the Ministry of Transport, the MPA undertakes several key roles and functions to fulfill its mission objectives.

As Port Authority, the MPA manages vessel traffic in the port, working to ensure navigational safety and the smooth movement and operations of ships. This includes conducting maintenance dredging of fairways and anchorages, providing navigational aids and charting Singapore’s waters. We are the guardian of Singapore’s waters against pollution from ships. Our officers patrol Singapore’s waterways regularly to ensure that ship operators do not pollute the port or harm the marine environment. We also work with various enforcement agencies to put in place maritime security measures to protect the port against threats.

As Port Industry Regulator, the MPA regulates and licenses port and marine services and facilities, such as the container terminals, pilotage, towage and bunkering services. We work in partnership with the terminal operators and marine service providers to promote the Singapore port and maintain its status as a premier global hub port.

As Port Planner, the MPA allocates the Republic’s waters for various uses without compromising on safety or security. We demarcate fairways, channels and anchorages to cater to the increasing vessel traffic calling at Singapore. Through careful planning and space allocation, we work to ensure that our port infrastructure and facilities are able to grow and expand to meet increasing demand.

As the National Sea Transport Representative, the MPA safeguards Singapore's maritime interests in the international arena. This is achieved through active participation at various international maritime fora. We are the Government's advisor on matters relating to sea transport and we work alongside our foreign counterparts to promote maritime safety and prevent pollution from ships, globally.

As the IMC Developer, the MPA is the lead agency for the development of Singapore into an International Maritime Centre (IMC). We work with other government agencies and maritime industry partners to attract shipowners and operators to set up operations in Singapore, broaden the breadth and depth of maritime ancillary services offered here, and improve the business environment for the maritime industry. Among other things, the MPA manages and promotes Singapore’s merchant fleet under the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS). We also work with industry partners to nurture the growth of a strong maritime technology R&D cluster in Singapore, as well as enhance the manpower development for the maritime industry.

FACT SHEET ON THE MPA’S SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES

Ensuring Navigational Safety

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is responsible for the safe navigation of ships within Singapore’s port waters and the Singapore Strait. It closely monitors vessel movements in these waters through two Port Operations Control Centres (POCCs).

The two POCCs are located at Tanjong Pagar Complex (POCC1) and PSA Vista (POCC2). POCC1 monitors vessel traffic in the eastern part of our port waters, while POCC2 is responsible for traffic in western sector and in the Singapore Strait. Both centres employ the state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) and serve as full back-up for each other.

Vessel Traffic Information System
The VTIS is a multi-radar tracking system that the MPA uses to track and monitor shipping traffic in the Singapore Strait and port waters. It comprises 11 radars and can monitor up to 5,000 vessels in real-time. Each POCC has 13 VTIS work stations to monitor different sectors of our port waters and the Singapore Strait.

Malacca and Singapore Straits
STRAITREP is an IMO-approved Mandatory Ship Reporting System for the Malacca and Singapore Straits, jointly implemented by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Under STRAITREP, all ships larger than 300 gross tons and all passenger vessels navigating in the Straits are required to report to the coastal state Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) authorities, i.e. MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre 2 for the Singapore Strait.

When a vessel reports in, near Horsburgh Lighthouse in the east or near Tg Piai (off South-west of Johor) in the west, the VTIS will start tracking the vessel. From here, the passage of the vessel into Singapore port will be monitored continuously by our VTIS operators. The operators provide traffic and navigational information to assist the ship to navigate safely. Where there are navigational hazards, e.g. a navigational buoy out of position, a radio navigational warning broadcast would be made to warn all ships.

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
The MPA has also set up seven AIS transponder base stations to enable its control centres to automatically receive ships' identities and positions transmitted from transponders carried onboard. These base stations are located along the southern coast of Singapore to cover the Singapore Strait and port waters.

Ensuring Port and Maritime Security

The MPA works closely with enforcement agencies such as the Police Coast Guard (PCG) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) to enhance security in our waters. Some of the measures that were put in place following 911 were:

·        The waters around critical installations such as Jurong Island, Pulau Bukom and Pulau Sebarok have been declared as Restricted Areas. Vessels are required to obtain approval from MPA to enter these areas. The PCG boats patrol these waters to ensure that only authorised vessels are permitted to enter.

·        Pleasure craft departing and arriving from the port are required to follow designated routes.

·        Additional manpower was employed to perform security tasks such as monitoring movements of sensitive vessels such as chemical tankers, LNG and LPG carriers in port waters and the Singapore Strait and providing information and support to RSN and PCG.  

·         A plan has been put in place by the three agencies, namely, RSN, PCG and MPA to respond to maritime threats from ships. The three agencies conduct exercises regularly to test the effectiveness of the Plan and to familiarise the officers on the procedures spelt out in the Plan.

·         Ferry routes were revised. They are kept clear of Changi Naval Base and Jurong Island. For instance, the ferry route to and from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal has been relocated westward away from Changi Naval Base by about 4 km.  

International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

The ISPS Code entered into force globally on 1 July 2004. All of Singapore’s port facilities and registered ships complied with the Code by the deadline. Since then, MPA has been conducting surprise checks and ad-hoc audits to ensure continued compliance with the Code.

The MPA has also put in place additional security controls and measures for small vessels, harbour and pleasure craft, which are not covered by the ISPS Code. These measures include:

·        A Ship Self-Security Assessment Checklist to be completed by visiting small vessels prior to entry into the port. This helps to ensure the security preparedness and readiness of these vessels.

·        The Harbour Craft Security Code which provides practical security measures to be undertaken by all harbour craft in the port such as measures for access control, navigation, communications and ship-to-port facility activities; and

·        The Pleasure Craft Security Code, which helps protect the passengers and crew members, and mitigate vulnerabilities to security incidents onboard pleasure craft.

Licensing Scheme for Regional Ferry Operators

A licensing scheme for regional ferry operators was introduced in January 2005. Companies that operate regional ferry services are required to obtain a licence from MPA in order to provide such services in Singapore. While the regional ferry operators had already adopted a set of safety and security measures for the operation of their ferries, the new licensing regime formalises the need for compliance with these measures.

Harbour Craft Transponder System (HARTS)

To further enhance the security of Singapore’s port waters, the MPA worked with the enforcement agencies to develop and implement the Harbour Craft Transponder System (HARTS). The system is designed for small vessels which are not required to carry the Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders mandated by the IMO.

All licensed harbour and pleasure craft will be required to carry the transponders. The cost of the system including fitting the transponders on the 3,000 affected craft amounts to some S$3.5m, and is borne by the Government. Installation of the transponders began in Jul 05 and is scheduled to be completed by Dec 06. To date, more than 2,600 craft have been fitted with the transponder. Operation of the system will commence in Jan 07.

Key features of the HARTS include:

·        A ‘Panic Button’ to alert the shore-based authorities in the event of a security threat.

·        Security features to ensure that each transponder unit will only work on the authorised craft.

·        Ability to transmit craft identity, position, course and speed to shore-based authorities.

·        Use of existing telecommunications infrastructure (GPRS network) for transmission of data from the transponder unit to the shore-based control centres.

·        Comprises fixed-mounted and portable transponders.

About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996 as a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport with the key functions of developing and promoting Singapore as a premier global hub port and an international maritime centre, and to safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests.  As the newly designated 'Champion Agency', the MPA is tasked with expanding the Singapore maritime sector by developing a strong and attractive cluster of ancillary services. These include, among others, ship broking/management, marine insurance/finance, maritime legal/arbitration services, R&D initiatives, and manpower expertise

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IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY (ICA)

Vision & Mission

Our Mission
We ensure that the movement of people, goods and conveyances through our checkpoints is legitimate and lawful. We administer and uphold our laws on immigration, citizenship and national registration fairly and effectively.

Our Shared Vision
Inspiring Confidence in All

Our Departmental Values
Integrity, Commitment and Accountability

Explanatory Notes:

Mission
ICA is responsible for the security of Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances through our land, air and sea checkpoints.

ICA enforces immigration, registration and goods-related laws and regulations by providing immigration and registration facilities with regard to entry, stay and exit of people and by screening goods entering and departing from Singapore.

Shared Vision

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COASTAL COMMAND (COSCOM)

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Coastal Command (COSCOM) was established in Jan 1988 as the second operational command of the RSN. The mission of COSCOM is to ensure the safety and security of the Singapore Strait and its approaches. This also entails the immediate seaward defence of Singapore. To do this effectively, COSCOM needs to work very closely with Singapore's other national maritime agencies such as the Maritime Port Authority (MPA), the Police Coast Guard (PCG) and the Immigrations and Customs Authority (ICA). COSCOM would also need to engage regional and extra-regional navies in co-operative efforts to enhance safety and security. A good example is the cooperation between COSCOM and the Indonesian Navy in anti-sea robbery patrols in the Singapore Strait.

COSCOM's tasks are wide and varied. Daily operations include maritime security patrols, surveillance operations and constantly being on stand-by to provide assistance to the various national maritime agencies. The formation would also participate, and at times organise, various bilateral and multilateral exercises and operations within the region as such activities are important for naval co-operation. The scope of COSCOM's responsibilities has expanded over the years and even more since Sep 11, 2001. After the Sep I I attacks, COSCOM has been heavily involved in anti-terrorist operations in the maritime dimension. These include the protection of Changi Naval Base and other critical maritime installations and activities. These operations have been conducted in close co-operation with the PCG. In addition, more anti-terrorist contingency plans have been developed and exercised over the last few months

Mission

COSCOM’s key mission is the seaward defence and security of the Singapore Straits and its approaches in peacetime, tension & war. This requires COSCOM to work closely with the other national maritime agencies such as the Police Coastguard (PCG), Maritime Port Authority (MPA), Customs and Immigration Authority (ICA) and CAAS.     

Role and Function

The primary role of COSCOM is to safeguard the security of Singapore coastal waters in peace time and providing seaward defence for Singapore in period of tension and war. Her tasks include :

·          

·         Conduct maritime surveillance of the Singapore Straits

·        Conduct Anti-Sea Robbery Co-ordinating Patrols with the Indonesian Navy

·        Exercising Co-ordinating Authority(CORDA)

·        Conduct route survey and channel conditioning tasks

·        Develop doctrine and tactical procedures for coastal defence operations

·        Provide assistance to Civil Authorities in contingency like Ferry Mishap, Air Disaster and Anti-Hijack operations

·        Assist Police Coast Guard in their operations

Organization.

COSCOM is organized as follows:

a.            HQ COSCOM. At the headquarters level, Commander COSCOM and his deputy are assisted by four principal staff, a formation safety officer, finance manager, medical officer and a Chief Warrant Officer. At the ground level, COSCOM is in charge of four Squadrons.

            b.            181 Squadron. 181 Squadron maintains a round-the-clock maritime            situation picture of the Singapore Strait with inputs from COSCOM's own             ships on patrol, PCG and Vessel Traffic Information System  (VTIS).

c.            182/189 Squadron. 182/189 Squadron is made up of 11 patrol vessels that were built locally by ST Marine. These patrol ships are deployed for maritime security surveillance patrols in the Singapore Straits.

d.            194 Squadron. 194 Squadron comprises 4 Mine Counter-Measure Vessel and 2 Self-propelled Acoustic and Magnetic Mine Sweepers (SAMMS). These vessels are responsible for all Mine Counter-Measure operations. Also, 194 Squadron works closely with naval divers from the Naval Diving Unit.

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