Competent authorities
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
IMO focal point
MPA
GI SEA focal point
MPA
International conventions status
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex I/II)
OPRC 1990
OPRC-HNS 2000
CLC 1992
FUND 1992
Supp Fund 2003
LLMC 1996
HNS Protocol 2010
BUNKER 2001
Nairobi WRC 2007
National framework overview
National Plan
Provincial OSCPs
Incident Management System
Dispersant Policy
NEBA / SIMA
In-Situ Burning
Sensitivity Mapping
Offshore Response Plan
Shoreline Response Plan
Oiled Wildlife Plan
Waste Management Plan
Singapore’s oil/HNS spill preparedness is led by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which serves as the competent national authority and 24/7 spill notification point; pollution response is directed from the Port Master’s Department, with a senior officer appointed as On‑Scene Commander and the legal power to call upon equipment, manpower, and expertise from private operators under the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act and subsidiary regulations. The national Oil Spill Contingency Plan supplements the Marine Emergency Action Plan (MEAP) and scales from Tier 1 (vessel/terminal/operator resources) to Tier 2 (Emergency Operations Committee with government agencies and industry) and Tier 3 (extensive multi‑agency mobilisation, including international support if needed). Plans are reviewed and updated following incidents and drills; MPA runs annual oil‑spill exercises and biennial Joint Oil Spill Exercises (JOSE).
At sea, dispersants are a core response option when a NEBA/SIMA‑type judgment indicates environmental benefit; only MPA‑approved dispersants may be used. Operators are required to maintain Tier‑1 stockpiles and dispersant‑capable craft in their emergency plans lodged with MPA. If oil reaches the shore, NEA leads shoreline clean‑up with logistics/manpower support, while NParks advises on biodiversity protection at nature reserves.
Regulatory framework
- Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act (Cap. 243), including subsidiary regulations covering:
- Reporting of pollution incidents
- OPRC‑related preparedness and cooperation requirements
- Oil Pollution Regulations 2006
- Merchant Shipping Acts on Civil Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution and Bunker Oil Pollution, including compulsory insurance requirements for vessels operating in Singapore waters.
Regional / Subregional cooperation
- Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (ASEAN MoU)
- Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan under the Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (ASEAN ROSCP)
- The Straits of Malacca and Singapore Cooperation Mechanism
- The Revolving Fund Committee (RFC)
A joint partnership between the IMO and Ipieca
Supported by our industry members
