The maritime and shipping industry has had to adapt to ensure safe and responsible practices amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In keeping with these efforts, the Supreme Court of Singapore has acknowledged the concerns involved in the requirement of in-person service of documents against a ship, and has addressed them by introducing temporary alternative methods of service. From 22 January 2021 and until further notice, service of Warrants of Arrest or Writs in an in rem action against a ship, freight or cargo may be effected by leaving or transmitting the same to the agent of the ship. In the same vein, security guards are also not required to be deployed on board an arrested ship with effect from 15 January 2021 and until further notice.
In this Update, we provide a summary of the requirements of the newly-introduced alternative methods of service and practical steps for complying with these requirements, as well as a discussion of the effect of the dispensation of security guards for ship arrests.
For more information, click here to read the full Legal Update.
