Updated July 2020
On 24 September 2007 the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) which established a schedule of rates covering oil spill response resources provided by the MPA and its supporting response agencies and resource owners.
Singapore was the first country in the world to establish such an agreement that covered a pre-agreed schedule of rates for oil spill response resources. The agreement is supported by the International Group of P&I Clubs and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. In addition to establishing a pre-agreed schedule of rates to expedite claims settlements, the MOU has helped ensure necessary resources were available to handle oil spills.
The schedule covers oil spill response craft, portable equipment, boom, dispersant and personnel and first took effect from 1 October 2007. It is reviewed on a three-yearly cycle.
On 26 April 2017 - MARITIME and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF) announced a three-year extension to the memorandum of understanding for an agreed schedule of rates for clean-up operations according to the types of vessels and equipment used in responding to pollution incidents.
In line with efforts to enhance emergency preparedness and response, the renewed agreement will minimise disagreements, and claims settlements will be expedited.
On 05 October 2018 - The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) led a multi-agency Joint Oil Spill Exercise (JOSE) to test and demonstrate Singapore's readiness to respond to oil spills at sea.
References:
PC 10 OF 2017 - OIL SPILL RESPONSE & VESSEL RATES IN SINGAPORE
