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Bidding for Craft Licence Number

Bidding for Craft Licence Number

The MPA bidding system allows owners of harbour or pleasure craft to bid for a licence number for use to register a new un-licensed craft or to replace the licence number of their existing craft.

Licence Number

You can bid for a harbour craft or pleasure craft licence number and use it to:

  • register a new craft; or
  • replace the licence number of your existing craft

Who can Bid for a Licence Number

Anyone who currently owns a craft (whether a new un-licensed craft or an existing licenced craft) or intends to secure a craft for use in port can submit a bid. Businesses / Companies which intend to bid for a licence number must be registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.

Bidding Period

The bidding period is open for 5 working days, starting from the Monday to Friday of the first week of each month.

Bidding Procedures

Each bid application is for one licence number only. If you wish to bid for more than one licence number, you will need to submit separate applications.

The minimum bid amount is S$2,000. Bids higher than S$2,000 shall be in multiples of S$1. 

With effect from February 2026, cashier orders are not accepted and all payments must be processed through the digitalPORT@SG™ portal during the bid application.

This enhancement simplifies the bidding process by eliminating the need for cashier's orders with no physical submissions required.

 

All bid applications are now processed via the e-payment system, which is commonly used for all other MPA payment processes and provides a familiar and secure method for applicants.

The payment MUST be made during the application for the bid to be accepted. Once submitted, the bid application cannot be withdrawn or cancelled.

All applicants will be notified of the bidding result via email by the next working day from the closing date. If your bid is unsuccessful, the payment made will be returned  to you (without interest) within 2 weeks from the closing date.

Conditions Applicable to Use of Allotted Number

  • The successful applicant will have the licence number allotted under his name as 'owner/co-owner’ or under the name of the company in which the application was submitted. Licence numbers allotted are non-transferable. Applicants must therefore ensure that the craft in respect of which it is intended to use the licence number is also registered in the applicant’s name. Licence numbers allotted for a particular category of pleasure or harbour craft may not be used for licencing of any other category of pleasure or harbour craft.
  • The licence number cannot be cancelled by the applicant and the bid amount will not be refunded to the applicant once allotted. MPA has the discretion to cancel the allotted licence number if the craft subsequently fails to meet licensing requirements at the point of licensing.
  • The licence number is valid for 12 months from the date of notification by MPA. The licence number cannot be used by the applicant to licence a craft after the expiry of the 12 month period. No extension of time is allowed. In such event, the licence number will be reassigned by MPA.
  • The successful applicant shall abide by all regulations pertaining to the usage of the craft in port.
  • The bid amount will not be refunded to the successful applicant if the craft licence is subsequently surrendered voluntarily or cancelled by MPA pursuant to the MPA (Harbour Craft) Regulations or the MPA (Pleasure Craft) Regulations as the case may be.

Replacement of Licence Numbers for Existing Craft

If you wish to replace the licence number for your existing craft with a licence number successfully allotted during a bidding exercise, you may apply to do so. A fee of S$50 (before GST) will be payable for each replacement.

Retention of Licence Number

If you wish to retain your current licence number after your craft is de-licensed for use to licence another craft (either a new un-licenced craft or an existing licenced craft), you may apply to do so. A fee of S$50 (before GST) will be payable for each transfer.

System-Assigned Licence Number

If you do not wish to bid for a licence number, you may request for an MPA-assigned licence number, as per the current practice. There is no additional fee required. If you do not like the licence number assigned, you can still bid for a licence number of your choice. You will need to pay a fee of S$50 (before GST) for each cancellation.