MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

3.12 p.m.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The main object of this Bill is to enable Singapore to adopt the International Load Line Convention, 1966. The Load Line (i.e. Plimsoll Mark) indicates the maximum depth to which a ship can be loaded. At present, the Load Line Convention, 1930, applies to Singapore, and is implemented by United Kingdom legislation which was extended to Singapore. The new International Convention of 1966, which came into force in July 1968, takes into account modern technological advances in shipbuilding and provides for tankers of over 600 feet in length. The new Convention also provides certain advantages - for example, it allows deeper loading which results in about 4 per cent increase in carrying capacity, and therefore earning capacity, for some tankers. It is necessary for Singapore to accept the 1966 Convention so that Singapore-registered ships can enjoy the benefits of deeper loading, and furthermore ships calling at Singapore are often loaded in accordance with the 1966 Convention.

For the purpose of acceptance of the Convention, the Merchant Shipping Ordinance needs to be amended. The existing load line provisions are deleted and new provisions substituted. Members may wish to refer to relevant provisions contained in clause 23 of the Bill which, inter alia:

(a) prohibits ships from sailing without Load Line certificates;

(b) empowers the Minister to exempt ships under certain circumstances, and to appoint classification societies to issue Load Line certificates; and

(c) empowers the Minister to make regulations for the purpose.

Another amendment provides for the licensing of all harbour craft operating for trade or business within Singapore territorial waters. At present harbour craft which are registered either in Singapore or elsewhere are exempted from licensing. This means that such craft are not subject to control and can therefore avoid safety and other requirements. There have been instances where condemned craft sold for breaking up as scrap were subsequently registered under foreign flags and being operated as harbour craft. This is clearly undesirable on grounds of safety. The object is achieved by amending section 453 of the Ordinance, vide clause 36 of the Bill.

The rest of the provisions in the Bill deal with amendments recommended by the Law Review Commissioners, and are mainly amendments consequential on constitutional changes.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

3.16 p.m.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to raise a very small point. As far as I can see, it will require a great number of qualified surveyors of ships to ensure the proper implementation of this Bill. I am just wondering whether the present number of qualified surveyors in Singapore is adequate to cope with this work.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: The Member for Jalan Kayu has raised a fair point. That is why we have made provision to accept certificates issued by classification societies which are well known throughout the world. It will not be necessary for our surveyors to survey the ships. They need only accept the certificates and classify them as being adequate for our purpose. We have a few surveyors in service who will be able to handle the rest.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Yong Nyuk Lin].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.