The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) presented the Biennial Incentive Award (BIA) to seven harbour pilots this afternoon.
 

Speaking at the 8^th BIA ceremony for harbour pilots, MPA Chief Executive, Mr Lam Yi Young said, "On top of specialist ship-handling skills, harbour pilots provide essential local navigational and operational knowledge to assist shipmasters. They play an integral role in ensuring the safety of navigation in our port waters. To recognise the important role they play in ensuring navigational safety in our port waters, MPA gives out the BIA to recognise outstanding harbour pilots and to encourage our harbour pilots to pursue high safety and professional standards.”

 

This year’s seven recipients of the BIA are Capt Ambrose Tan Hung Ching, Mr Bey Boon Kee, Capt Lim Tauw Tock, Mr Mah Yoke Kiong, Mr Matthew Yeo, Mr Png Eng Soon and Capt Shapudin Bin Othman. They were selected from among the pool of 217 harbour pilots and assessed on a range of criteria that include professionalism, teamwork, technical expertise, safety awareness and shipmaster's satisfaction.

 

They were each awarded $3,000 in cash, and a commendation plaque during the ceremony. To make the award more prestigious, the cash prize was increased from $2,000 to $3,000 from this year.

 

Mr Bey Boon Kee, one of the recipients of the award who have worked as a harbour pilot for 29 years, shared his thoughts. Mr Bey said, “The work of a harbour pilot is important and meaningful to me as I need to ensure the safety of ships entering or leaving the Port of Singapore. I am honoured to be one of the award recipients. This award reaffirms the commitment of PSA Marine Pte Ltd and the pilots to high navigational safety standards and service excellence".

 

The BIA for Harbour Pilots was introduced by MPA in 1998 to enhance Singapore's pilotage service standards. Over the years, MPA and PSA Marine Pte Ltd, the pilotage service provider, have worked in close cooperation to ensure harbour pilots in Singapore are equipped with the necessary training and perform in line with international standards for safety awareness and professionalism.

 

Other initiatives to improve the quality of pilotage service in Singapore include the use of a ship handling simulator to train and assess harbour pilots, and the prompt updating and reviewing of pilotage operational guidelines.

 

End of Release.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.