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Sheriff's services: admiralty actions
Arrest of vessels
The arrest and detention of a vessel usually occurs within 12 months from the date a warrant of arrest is issued in an admiralty claim against the vessel (known as an admiralty in rem action), so long as the vessel is within the port limits of Singapore. Once a vessel is arrested, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
Refer to the Admiralty court guide and Part XVI of the Supreme Court Practice Directions for the detailed requirements and process for arresting a vessel.
Refer to the list of arrested vessels.
Note
Lawyers are authorised to perform the sheriff's duty of arresting a vessel under Section 65A of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act.
Parties may engage a lawyer if they wish to arrest a vessel, seek legal advice or start an admiralty claim.
Contact and appoint security services
If you are the party who intends to arrest a vessel (the plaintiff, also known as the arresting party), you or your lawyer (if any) must select a security agency from the court's approved panel.
After selecting an agency from the panel, you or your lawyer must do all of the following:
- Provide the appointed security agency with details of the arrest and make the necessary arrangements to bring the security guard along when executing the warrant of arrest.
- Inform the Sheriff’s Office which security agency has been appointed prior to executing the warrant of arrest on the vessel.
- It is your responsibility to give the Sheriff’s Office sufficient time and notice to ensure that the necessary administrative processes can be undertaken before the vessel is arrested.
- Engage vessel watch services and provide the Sheriff's Office with daily updates on the location of the vessel, starting from the day the vessel is arrested until the vessel is released.
You may refer to the following for the details, contact information and fees for companies on the court's panel who provide security services for the arrest of vessels.
Company | Address | Fees | Contact information |
|---|---|---|---|
Armour Security & Investigations Pte. Ltd. | 23 Woodlands Industrial Park E1, #05-01, Singapore 757741 |
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Bulls-Eye Security Services Pte. Ltd. | 23 New Industrial Road |
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Crete Security Services Pte. Ltd. | 1 Yishun Industrial Street 1 #08-36, A'Posh Biz Hub, Singapore 768160 |
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Focal Investigation & Security Agency Pte Ltd | 5001 Beach Road |
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Peregrine Security Pte. Limited | 2 Sims Close, #07-05, Gemini @ Sims, Singapore 387298 |
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Note: The names of the security agencies are arranged alphabetically and in no order of preference.
The rates are comprehensive and take into account all disbursements except for the launch fees (when a security guard has to be transported to and from an arrested vessel out at sea to arrest the vessel or at shift changes). Launch fees are charged and payable as disbursements.
Contact and appoint vessel agents
If a vessel agent is required, you may select one from the court's approved panel.
After selecting an agency from the panel, you or your lawyers (if any) must do all of the following:
- Provide the appointed vessel agent with details of the arrest and make the necessary arrangements when executing the arrest.
- Inform the Sheriff’s Office and obtain the sheriff’s consent for the vessel agent you intend to appoint prior to executing the arrest of the vessel.
You may refer to the following for the details, contact information and fees for companies on the court's panel of vessel agents.
| S\N | Vessel Agent | Monthly / Half-monthly | Daily | Crew Change Handling Fee | Address | Contact Persons:- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASP Crew Management Services Limited (Singapore Branch) | S$2000 monthly | S$65 daily | S$100 per person | 152 Beach Road #05-01 Gateway East Singapore 189721 |
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| 2 | Sinoda Shipping Agency Pte Ltd | S$2000 monthly | S$66.67 daily | S$100 per person | 10 Anson Road #15-01/02/03, International Plaza Singapore 079903 |
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| 3 | Pacmar Shipping Pte Ltd | S$1500 monthly S$750 half-monthly or part thereof | - | S$55 per person | 9 Raffles Place Republic Plaza |
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| 4 | Waypoint Port Services Singapore Pte Ltd | S$1950 monthly | - | S$120 per person | 79 Anson Road #23-05 Singapore 079906 |
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| 5 | Hellenic Overseas Maritime Enterprises Pte Ltd | S$2100 monthly | - | S$90 per person | 203 Henderson Road #10-01 Singapore 159546 |
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Note: The names of the vessel agents are arranged alphabetically and in no order of preference.
Vessel agencies are allowed to charge only their rates published above. The rates for the provision of vessel agent services are comprehensive except for disbursements (such as bunkers, supplies and crew change handling fees) which will be separately accounted for.
Sale of vessels
If the owner of the vessel (defendant) does not secure the release of the vessel after it is arrested, the plaintiff may apply for an order that the sheriff sell the vessel via a judicial sale.
Vessel appraisers
If you are the plaintiff, you or your lawyer (if any) must appoint one or more appraisers from the court's approved panel to assess the value of the arrested vessel before it is put up for sale.
After selecting an agency from the panel, you or your lawyer will need to file the Commission for Appraisement and Sale (Form 170, Rules of Court) indicating the court-approved appraiser you have selected via eLitigation.
You may refer to the following for the details, contact information and fees for companies on the court's panel who provide appraisal services for admiralty actions.
Company | Address | Contact information |
|---|---|---|
ALC Consulting Services Pte Ltd
| 1 Ubi View | 6515 4116 (Captain Baharudin) |
Ritchie & Bisset (Asia) Pte Ltd | Blk 209 Henderson Road | 6271 8700 (Vincent Loh)
|
Seawise Maritime Services | 5 Tampines Central 1
| 6692 6280 (Malim Araffiz Bin Jalani) |
Note: The names of the vessel appraisers are arranged alphabetically and in no order of preference.
Shipbrokers
The Sheriff's Office may also appoint a shipbroker from the court's approved panel. The shipbroker provides a valuation of the arrested vessels that are sold under judicial sales.
The Sheriff’s Panel of Shipbrokers currently appointed to provide appraisal services for arrested vessels that are sold under judicial sales comprise the following:
Company | Address | Contact persons |
|---|---|---|
Avalon Shipbrokers Pte Ltd | 60 Paya Lebar Road, #07-02, Singapore 409051 |
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| Braemar Shipbroking Pte. Ltd. | 80 Robinson Road #24-01/02 Singapore 068898 |
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M3 Marine Group Pte Ltd | 1 Commonwealth Lane #09-13, One Commonwealth Singapore 149544 |
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| MSI Asia Pte Ltd (Maritime Strategies International Ltd) | 77 Robinson Road #31-01 Robinson 77 Singapore 068896 |
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| Veson Nautical Pte Ltd | 63 Robinson Road #17-01 Singapore 068894 |
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After the vessel is sold
After the vessel is sold by the sheriff, the proceeds of the sale are used to satisfy:
- The expenses of the sheriff and other dues.
- The claims of the plaintiff and other relevant parties.
If the proceeds from the sale exceed S$250,000.00 (after deducting all the sheriff's costs and expenses), it must be placed in a fixed deposit with a reputable bank or finance company in Singapore.
Any party who has obtained judgment against the vessel or proceeds of the sale of the vessel may also apply to the court for an order determining the order of priority of the claims against the proceeds of the sale of the vessel. This is done by summons supported by an affidavit.
The sale proceeds will be paid out to the claimants in the amounts and manner specified in the court order.
Refer to the list of vessels sold (PDF, 60 KB) since 2006.
Resources
Refer to the Admiralty court guide.
Legislation associated with this topic include:
- Section 65A of the Supreme Court Judicature Act.
- Order 70 of the Rules of Court.
Refer to Part XVI of the Supreme Court Practice Directions for admiralty matters.
Related questions
You can provide security for the claim made by the plaintiff in order to secure the release of the vessel.
If you wish to contest the warrant of arrest for your vessel, you or your lawyers (if any) may apply to the court by summons to set aside the arrest of the vessel and have the vessel released.
Lawyers representing parties for the arrest of vessels must refer to the process for admiralty arrest as set out in the Rules of Court and the Admiralty court guide.
You may contact the following parties for queries.
Organisation or department | Contact information |
|---|---|
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Sheriff’s Office |
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If you are a lawyer and wish for the court to hear an urgent request for the arrest or release of a vessel outside of the Supreme Court’s operating hours, you will have to contact the after-hours duty registrar and satisfy them of the urgency of the requests.
You must inform the duty registrar of all of the following:
- When the vessel in question is arriving in Singapore (for arrest) or departing from Singapore (for release).
- Whether all the necessary legal documents have been electronically filed.
The duty registrar may inform you to attend a hearing at an appropriate time having regard to the urgency of the application, if necessary.
The purchase of vessels is open to the public.
You may refer to:
- Sheriff's sales to find out more about the description and particulars of the vessels on sale.
- The Sheriff's Conditions of Sale of a Vessel (PDF, 88 KB)
If you are a party interested to buy a vessel and wish to inspect any vessel put up for sale, you are required to fill in and submit the Vessel Inspection Request (DOCX, 14 KB) and a copy of your NRIC, passport or work permit to the Sheriff's Office at supct_sheriff@judiciary.gov.sg.
You may call 6332 1066 or 6332 4286/7/8 if you have more inquiries or requests for assistance.
If any appraisers wish to be appointed to the court's panel of appraisers, they will have to write to the Registrar of the Supreme Court with all relevant information, particulars and details of their company in the application.
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