MPA inks deal with China for use of e-certificates in shipping industry

It will facilitate port clearance and reduce administrative burden.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the China Maritime Safety Administration to use electronic certificates to facilitate port clearance in the shipping industry, an announcement revealed.

Under this MOU, the maritime authorities of China and Singapore will cooperate in the issuance, use and acceptance of electronic certificates to facilitate port clearance and port state control inspections.

Accordingly, the use of electronic certificates will improve the efficiency of port clearance, reduce the administrative burden on shipping companies and ships and allow for effective enforcement by maritime and port authorities.

The MOU was built upon the partnership between China and Singapore under the 2011
MOU on Maritime, Shipping and Port Cooperation between China’s Ministry of Transport and Singapore’s Ministry of Transport.

MPA chief executive Quah Ley Hoon and China Maritime Safety Administration director general Dr Cao Desheng signed the MOU during the 11th China-Singapore Senior Officials’ Committee Meeting (SOCM) in Beijing, China.