MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF

SINGAPORE
SHIPPING CIRCULAR TO SHIPOWNERS
NO. 5 OF 2010
MPA Shipping Division
460 Alexandra Road
21st Storey PSA Building
Singapore 119963
Fax: 6375-6231
http://www.mpa.gov.sg

12 March 2010

Applicable to: Ship owners, managers, operators, masters, builders,

repairers, paint manufacturers and suppliers and the Shipping Community.
This circular informs the Shipping Community of Singapore’s accession to
the AFS Convention on 31 December 2009, which will enter into force for
Singapore on 31 March 2010.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE CONTROL OF HARMFUL ANTI-

FOULING SYSTEMS ON SHIPS (AFS CONVENTION)

1. The Shipping Community had previously been informed of the plan for
Singapore to accede to the AFS Convention in 2009 through the Shipping
Circular No. 6 of 2006. The Shipping Community was also urged to take early
action to comply with the Convention when their vessels are dry-docked.

2. Shipping Circular No. 22 of 2007 further advised the Shipping Community

of the entering into force of the International Convention on the Control of
Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS Convention) on 17
September 2008.

3. On 31 December 2009, Singapore has acceded to the AFS Convention

and the Convention will enter into force for Singapore on 31 March 2010.
Thereafter, the Convention will apply to ships registered with Singapore and also
to ships calling at the Port of Singapore. The Convention will prohibit the use of
harmful organotin compounds as biocides in anti-fouling paints used on ships
and establishes a mechanism to prevent the potential future use of other harmful
substances in anti-fouling systems.

4. Ships of 400 gross tonnage and above engaged in international voyages

(excluding fixed or floating platforms, FSUs and FPSOs) will be required to
undergo an initial survey before the ship is put into service or before the
International Anti-fouling System Certificate is issued for the first time, and a
survey when the anti-fouling systems are changed or replaced.

5. Ships of 24 metres or more in length but less than 400 gross tonnage
engaged in international voyages (excluding fixed or floating platforms, FSUs and
FPSOs) will have to carry a Declaration on Anti-fouling Systems signed by the
owner or authorised agent. The Declaration will have to be accompanied by
appropriate documentation such as a paint receipt or contractor’s invoice.

6. For ships that had taken early actions to comply with the Convention and
were issued with the Certificate of Compliance to meet port state requirements
before the Convention comes into force for Singapore, they will be required to
replace the Certificate of Compliance with the International Anti-Fouling System
Certificate.

7. For ships bearing anti-fouling systems with organotin compounds as

biocides before the date of entry into force of the Convention i.e. 17 September
2008, the Administration is required to issue a Certificate not later than two years
after its entry into force i.e.16 September 2010, on basis that the ships have
complied with the survey under paragraph 4 as stated above.

8. The nine approved classification societies will be authorised to conduct

surveys and issue the International Anti-Fouling System Certificate on behalf of
the Government of Singapore. They can be approached for further guidance with
respect to the requirements of this Convention.

9. In view of the entering into force of the Convention for Singapore on 31

March 2010, the Shipping Community is urged to take appropriate actions to
comply with the Convention.

10. Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to Mr Zafrul Alam
(Tel: 6375 6204) or Mr Princet Ang (Tel: 6375 6259).

CHEONG KENG SOON

DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE