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Pre-Registration Procedure

To apply for an ordinary registration, please submit a Name Reservation application via digitalPORT@SGTM to get:

  • Approval for the vessel's name. (Note: If you later decide to use a reserved name for a different vessel than originally intended, please provide the Registry with the name of the new vessel that will use the reserved name.)

  • Vessel’s official number and call sign / signal letters.

Register a Vessel Name

  • All names to be used for a Singapore vessel must be approved by the Authority. This is applicable even when there is no change in the vessel name from its previous registry.

  • Applications for vessel names must be made at least two weeks in advance to factor in the possible unavailability of the name.

  • An approved name is valid for a period of one year.

Reservation of Vessel Name

  • The existing name of a Singapore vessel may be reserved by its owner for a period of 10 years for use by a replacement vessel.

  • Provide the Registry with the name of the replacement vessel that will take on the reserve name.

Change of Vessel Name

  • To change the name of a vessel that is already registered or will be registered as a Singapore vessel, you must seek approval from the Registrar. You can do so by editing the name reservation application you have submitted via digitalPORT@SGTM.

  • Upon receiving approval for the new name, an amendment slip for the Certificate of Registry and a Carving and Marking Note will be issued by the Registry.

  • The Carving and Marking Note must be certified by the vessel’s classification society and returned to the Registry within 30 days of its issuance date.

  • A fee of S$26 will be charged for the approval of a change in vessel name.

Call Sign / Signal Letter

  • State clearly the gross tonnage of the vessel in the application letter.

  • If the vessel is fitted or needs to be fitted with a radio station, then:

    • Upon receiving the Call Sign/Signal letter, the vessel owner needs to apply to the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) for a licence to operate the ship board radio station.

    • Vessels equipped with GMDSS are required to obtain the Maritime Mobile Service Identity number (MMSI) from the International Mobile Services Department of Singapore Telecommunications Limited.
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