Oil spills resulting from bunkering operations in Singapore waters can lead to severe consequences for shipowners, masters, and agents, including substantial financial penalties and potential imprisonment. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued a circular emphasizing the importance of pollution prevention during these operations. Under the regulations, any discharge of oil or oily mixtures from ships into Singapore waters constitutes an offense, punishable by fines ranging from $1,000 to $1 million, and/or imprisonment for up to two years.
On October 30, 2025, the MPA released port marine circular no. 13 of 2025, which updates previous guidelines and stresses that oil spills are often due to operational oversights. To mitigate these risks, all vessels involved in bunkering operations are reminded to adhere to the preventive measures outlined in Annex A. Additionally, they must complete the bunkering checklist and verify pre-bunkering and post-incident tank volumes as specified in Annexes B and C.
The MPA highlights the need for immediate reporting of any incidents related to bunkering and oil pollution to the marine safety control center. Ultimately, the responsibility for preventing oil spills rests with the ship’s master and crew, who must remain vigilant even against potential causes not covered in the checklist. For further details, the full circular and its annexes are available on the MPA website.
