Singapore’s clampdown on substandard shipping has snared another high-profile shipowner, the latest data from the Tokyo MoU shows.
Excelerate Energy’s 138,000-cbm floating storage and regasification unit Summit LNG (ex-Excelerate, built 2006) was detained in late March.
The Belgian-flagged LNG carrier was held for deficiencies related to pilot ladders and pilot transfer arrangements, international safety management and faulty weathertight conditions.
Singapore inspectors also found issues with some of the vessel’s fire dampers as well as fixed fire extinguishing systems, Tokyo MoU data showed.
A spokesperson for US-listed Excelerate Energy declined to comment on the vessel’s detention when contacted by TradeWinds.
Singapore’s Maritime & Port Authority is known to be having a wider campaign on life-saving equipment and appliances, one shipowner who had a vessel detained recently told TradeWinds.
The detention of the Excelerate Energy gas carrier comes less than two months after tanker giant Euronav saw one of its VLCCs detained in the city.
The 314,000-dwt Ingrid (built 2012) was stopped in late January after deficiencies were found related to ISM Code, fire safety and pilot transfer arrangements.
However, a spokesperson for the US-listed shipowner said it was actively engaging with the MPA as it believed its interpretation of detainable items was “arguable”.
The Ingrid was the third VLCC to be detained in Singapore since the summer of last year for port state control-related deficiencies, according to the Tokyo MoU.
In June 2023, a modern Japanese-owned VLCC — the 314,000-dwt Tenma (built 2018) — was detained for ISM, fire safety and labour condition-related deficiencies.
Then, in early December 2023, the 299,000-dwt tanker Inherit (built 2000) was detained with more than 20 deficiencies, four of which were said to warrant detention.
Singapore saw a surge in tanker detentions during 2023 as PSC inspections were reinstated after Covid-19 and the frequency of inspections increased.
The city-state detained a total of 84 vessels last year of which 39 were crude tankers or oil/chemical tankers, according to the Tokyo MoU.
The MPA told TradeWinds last year that it had resumed physical PSC inspections on board vessels with the relaxation of the Covid-19 safe management measures in 2022
“The frequency of these inspections has also increased to ensure safe and reliable vessel operations, and that the vessel is in compliance with all applicable regulations,” it said.
The increase in detentions came amid concerns over the threat posed to Asian waters by the so-called dark fleet — tankers operating in sanctioned oil trades, which are often underinsured and have been dubbed an accident waiting to happen due to the significant environmental threat they pose.
Asian governments have been on edge following the explosion and fire aboard the 96,700-dwt Pablo (built 1997) in the South China Sea in May last year, close to the entrance of the Singapore Strait.
However, detentions look set to decline this year, with Singapore only detaining 15 ships in the first three months compared with 34 in the corresponding period in 2023.
