Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill

The Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill seeks to update Singapore's laws to align with the 1988 SUA FPP protocol, which targets unlawful acts against fixed offshore platforms like oil rigs.
The amendment introduces new offences including hijacking, intentional destruction or damage, and violent threats against fixed platforms, with penalties of life imprisonment.
The Bill extends jurisdiction to cover acts regardless of location or nationality and allows extradition of offenders to other countries party to the SUA FPP.
The changes aim to protect Singapore's maritime sector, which contributes 7% to GDP and employs over 170,000 people, by enhancing safety and security for fixed platforms.
The amendment underscores Singapore's commitment to international maritime security efforts and ensures domestic laws meet SUA FPP obligations before accession.

Order for Second Reading read.

Mdm Speaker, on behalf of the Minister for Transport, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The maritime cluster is a key component of the Singapore economy, contributing 7% of Singapore's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing more than 170,000 people. There are now over 130 international shipping groups in Singapore carrying out a full range of activities. We are a major maritime nation and the world's fifth largest flag state. Hence, Singapore has a strong interest to ensure that the maritime sector is able to operate safely and securely. We have and will continue to work together with the international maritime community in this regard.

The Government intends to accede to the 1988 Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms located on the Continental Shelf, known as the SUA FPP. As the title suggests, the SUA FPP is intended to deal with unlawful acts against such platforms, such as fixed platform oil rigs. It will allow us to take action against those that seek to hijack or harm fixed platforms and those who work on the platforms. Acceding to the SUA FPP will not only protect Singaporeans on fixed platforms. It will also allow us to help other countries track and take action against those who have harmed their fixed platforms and personnel.

The proposed Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Maritime Offences Act to give effect to the provisions of the SUA FPP. Let me highlight the key provisions of the Bill.

The new sections 7A to 7D of the Maritime Offences Act identify acts which will be offences under Singapore law, whether or not the acts are committed within Singapore's territorial waters or the offenders are Singapore nationals. These acts include, firstly, the hijacking or intentional destruction of a fixed platform; secondly, intentional damage to a fixed platform so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, the safety of the fixed platform; thirdly, commission on board a fixed platform of an act of violence which is likely to endanger the safety of the fixed platform; and, fourthly, threats to carry out some of these acts.

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The penalty applicable to these offences, unless otherwise specified in the Maritime Offences Act, is life imprisonment. This takes into account the gravity and dire consequences of the offences, which could jeopardise the safety of persons and property, affect the operation of maritime services and undermine public confidence in the safety of fixed platforms. This penalty is consistent with the practice in other countries, such as the UK.

Given that these offences can be transnational, section 11 is amended so that those that commit such offences may also be extradited to another country which is a party to the SUA FPP.

Mdm Speaker, being a party to the SUA FPP would demonstrate Singapore's firm commitment to deal with unlawful acts at sea. It also underscores our continuing commitment and contribution to international efforts to enhance maritime security. The proposed Bill ensures that we have the domestic legislation in place to comply with the obligations of the SUA FPP before accession. Mdm Speaker, I beg to move.

There are no speakers on this Bill.

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. – [Mrs Josephine Teo].

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

Page: 54

The Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill seeks to update Singapore's laws to align with the 1988 SUA FPP protocol, which targets unlawful acts against fixed offshore platforms like oil rigs.
The amendment introduces new offences including hijacking, intentional destruction or damage, and violent threats against fixed platforms, with penalties of life imprisonment.
The Bill extends jurisdiction to cover acts regardless of location or nationality and allows extradition of offenders to other countries party to the SUA FPP.
The changes aim to protect Singapore's maritime sector, which contributes 7% to GDP and employs over 170,000 people, by enhancing safety and security for fixed platforms.
The amendment underscores Singapore's commitment to international maritime security efforts and ensures domestic laws meet SUA FPP obligations before accession.

The Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill seeks to update Singapore's laws to align with the 1988 SUA FPP protocol, which targets unlawful acts against fixed offshore platforms like oil rigs.
The amendment introduces new offences including hijacking, intentional destruction or damage, and violent threats against fixed platforms, with penalties of life imprisonment.
The Bill extends jurisdiction to cover acts regardless of location or nationality and allows extradition of offenders to other countries party to the SUA FPP.
The changes aim to protect Singapore's maritime sector, which contributes 7% to GDP and employs over 170,000 people, by enhancing safety and security for fixed platforms.
The amendment underscores Singapore's commitment to international maritime security efforts and ensures domestic laws meet SUA FPP obligations before accession.

Order for Second Reading read.

Mdm Speaker, on behalf of the Minister for Transport, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The proposed Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Maritime Offences Act to give effect to the provisions of the SUA FPP. Let me highlight the key provisions of the Bill.

Page: 53

Given that these offences can be transnational, section 11 is amended so that those that commit such offences may also be extradited to another country which is a party to the SUA FPP.

There are no speakers on this Bill.

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. – [Mrs Josephine Teo].

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

Page: 54

The Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill seeks to update Singapore's laws to align with the 1988 SUA FPP protocol, which targets unlawful acts against fixed offshore platforms like oil rigs.
The amendment introduces new offences including hijacking, intentional destruction or damage, and violent threats against fixed platforms, with penalties of life imprisonment.
The Bill extends jurisdiction to cover acts regardless of location or nationality and allows extradition of offenders to other countries party to the SUA FPP.
The changes aim to protect Singapore's maritime sector, which contributes 7% to GDP and employs over 170,000 people, by enhancing safety and security for fixed platforms.
The amendment underscores Singapore's commitment to international maritime security efforts and ensures domestic laws meet SUA FPP obligations before accession.

Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

The Senior Minister of State for Transport (Mrs Josephine Teo) (for the Minister for Transport)

Mdm Speaker

Summary

Questions Identified

Maritime Offences (Amendment) Bill

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

The Senior Minister of State for Transport (Mrs Josephine Teo) (for the Minister for Transport)

Mdm Speaker

Summary

Questions Identified