According to reports, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) issued a notice on September 2, warning shipowners and port agents against using false or unverifiable vessel information. It clearly stated that enforcement action will be taken under the law against anyone found to have submitted false data to secure port entry or clearance.
The MPA emphasized that all information related to vessel arrivals and port clearances must be accurate, specifically highlighting data regarding vessel identity, registration, ownership, cargo content, and voyage records. Parties that deliberately use false, misleading, or unverifiable information to assist, conceal, or lend a veneer of legitimacy to illegal activities will be dealt with seriously.
The authority also reminded shipowners and their appointed port agents to conduct basic verification of vessel registration information through the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) before submitting certificates of registry and statutory trading certificates to the Harbour Master.
The notice further reminded that Singapore enforces United Nations Security Council sanctions resolutions. Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a vessel or other property may be linked to criminal activity, a suspicious transaction report must be filed. Failure to submit such a report as required may constitute a criminal offense.
This warning comes as regulators worldwide face a sharp increase in incidents of vessel false registration. In February this year, the IMO identified 529 vessels flying false flags, of which 356 were not classed by any classification society. Subsequently, the IMO Legal Committee issued new guidelines in April this year aimed at strengthening requirements for registration due diligence and ownership transparency.
