THE environment is taking a backseat to the economy for the time being as the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is delaying the increase in port dues on old bunker tankers to help shipping companies through these tough economic times.

The deferment will help more than 100 bunker tankers MPA said.

As part of an effort to grow a younger, more efficient and greener fleet of tankers in Singapore's port, in March this year, MPA introduced two new measures.

One which was intended to take effect in Jan 1 next year, was an increase in the duties on tankers that have been in operation for 16 years or more to 15 per cent up from 10 per cent.

This is to discourage the operation of older tankers as they are a higher risk to the marine environment and also less efficient. This has now been deferred a year to Jan 1 2010.

'We hope this deferment will contribute towards helping the industry adjust to the changing business climate,' MPA's group director (Hub Port) Captain M Segar said.

'The bunkering industry is an important component of Singapore's maritime cluster, and integral to our growth as a premier hub port.'