Starting a shipping business in Singapore

In order to operate a shipping business, you will require appropriate licenses or permits from the Singapore government. The exact license or permit that you may need will depend on your specific business activities; you will likely need one or more of the following. Our team can help you determine the licenses that will be necessary and submit the necessary application.

Harbour Craft Licence

The Maritime and Port Authority (Harbour Craft) Regulations state that no vessel shall be used as a harbour craft within the port of Singapore without a harbour craft licence issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to vessels used for commercial purposes within the port.

The following categories of licence are available:

• SB — for vessels carrying bulk petroleum, liquefied gases, liquid chemicals or vegetable or animal oils;
• SC — for vessels carrying dry or packaged cargoes;
• SP — for vessels carrying passengers;
• ST — for vessels used for towing, pushing, or pulling other vessels;
• SR — for vessels used for any other purpose.

When applying for a harbour craft licence, you are required to submit the application via the Marinet platform. The following documents will be required while applying for a new harbour craft licence:

• Identification belonging to the craft owner of licensee (Instant Information Printout from the ACRA);
• Proof of ownership (this may include Bill of Sale, Charter Agreement, Builder’s Certificate, etc);
• Proof of origin of vessel (such as Launching Permit, Import Permit, or General Arrival Declaration);
• Insurance documents for a craft;
• Approval letter from the owner of the premises;
• Letter of approval for use of landing places issued by the owner or manager of the facilities;
• Work Passes for foreign crew working on board;
• Any other documents as may be required by the authority.

Ship Registration Certificate

A Ship Registration Certificate is necessary for all vessels that intend to transport passengers or cargo. The procedure for registering a ship with the Singapore Registry of Ships is quick and easy, and can be followed in 5 major steps.

1.Prerequisites

As owner of the vessel, you must ensure that you satisfy the prerequisites for registration. The owners of Singapore vessels can be citizens, permanent residents of Singapore, local companies or foreign-owned Singapore companies. The vessels should comply with relevant requirements laid down in the IMO Conventions, such as SOLAS 74, Loadline 66, Tonnage Measurement (TM) 69 and MARPOL 73/78.

2. Vessel name approval 

Obtain approval for your choice of the vessel name by writing to the Ship Registry Department.

3. Submit registration documents

Download and complete the application form on the MPA website. Submit the relevant documents as required for a provisional registration or a permanent registration. These documents include:

• Company’s Business Profile;
• Appointment of Agent form (if any);
• Appointment of Manager form;
• Evidence of Ownership documents;
• Tonnage Certificate;
• Class Certificate;
• Other documents that may be required.

4. Pay registration fees

Pay the initial registration and annual tonnage tax fees:

• The fee for initial registration is S$2.50 per Net Tonne (NT) subject to a minimum of S$1,250 (500 NT) and a maximum of S$50,000 (20,000 NT).
• The annual tonnage tax is S$0.20 per NT, subject to a minimum of S$100 (500 NT) and a maximum of S$10,000 (50,000 NT).

Note that all fees listed here in this article are subject to change. Therefore, you should always check for the most current applicable fees on the relevant government websites.

5. Vessel registered

Your vessel is successfully registered and you will receive a Certificate of Registry and a Carving and Marking Note.

Port Limit Manning Licence

It is mandatory that every crew member on board your harbour craft holds a valid Port Limit Manning Licence. Different categories of Manning Licences are issued for various types of crew members:

• Port Limit Steersman Licence;
• Port Limit Helmsman Licence;
• Port Limit Special Grade (Deck) Officer Licence;
• Port Limit 2nd Class Engine Driver Licence;
• Port Limit 3rd Class Engine Driver Licence;
• Port Limit Special Grade (Engine Driver) Licence.

Applications for a new Manning Licence or renewal may be submitted via the Marinet platform. The application should be submitted within 6 months after the crew member has passed the examination and be accompanied by the following documents:

• Certificate of Competency or Result slip from MPA’s Maritime and Port Training Section;
• Identity Card (for locals) and Passport (for foreigners);
• Work Permit or In-principle Approval for Work Permit or an Employment Pass;
• Certificates of relevant additional courses attended.

Upon successful receipt of the form, documents, and fee the MPA will issue the Port Limit Manning Licence.

Vessels arriving in and departing from Singapore

Vessels arriving in Singapore must make the relevant notifications and declarations to the Port Master at least 24 hours before arrival or immediately on departure by fax or telex. No special certificates are required. The departure procedure is a bit more complicated than arrival and requires obtaining a Port Clearance Certificate.

Port Clearance Certificate

All vessels must obtain a Port Clearance Certificate (PCC) before departing the Port of Singapore. A departure declaration, together with the relevant documents, must be submitted to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to obtain the PCC. The declaration can also be filled online via the Marinet platform.

The departure declaration requires that you submit the following information:

• Vessel details, such as vessel name, IMO number, Call Sign, Gross Tonnage, etc;
• Purpose of call, such as loading of cargo, embarking passengers, repair, etc;
• Departure details, such as departure date and time, next port of call, location on arrival, etc.;
• Ship's trading certificates.

The PCC issued by MPA is valid for 48 hours from the time of its issuance. Owners, agents or masters must cancel the PCC and obtain a new one if the vessel failed to depart during the validity period of the previously issued PCC.