Licensing a Harbour Craft

With effect from 1 January 2020, the One-Stop Document Centre has ceased operations. For assistance on licensing and port clearance matters, please contact Marine Licensing and Permits (MLP) @ 1800 272 7777 or email us at mlp@mpa.gov.sg. Please visit https://marinet.mpa.gov.sg for the full suite of online services.

The Maritime and Port Authority (Harbour Craft) Regulations state that no vessel shall be used as a harbour craft within the port without a harbour craft licence.

Categories of licence
Under the provisions of the above Regulations, harbour craft licences are 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 issued:

Applying for a harbour craft licence 

When applying for a harbour craft licence, the applicant is required to submit the application via Marinet. The following documents are required during the application for a new harbour craft licence.

The following documents are required upon submission of application:

1. Identification belonging to craft owner of licensee

   1. Instant Information Printout from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) for licensing in the name of a corporate body.

2. Proof of ownership

   1. Bill of Sale; or

   2. Charter Agreement; or

   3. Builder’s Certificate; or

   4. Hull Receipt or Invoice

3. Proof of origin of vessel

   1. Launching Permit; or

   2. Import Permit; or

   3. General Arrival Declaration

4. Insurance Policy

   1. All harbour craft

      1. Clauses 7 to 9 of the institute Time Clauses (Hulls – Port Risks)- (20/7/87)

      2. Limits of liability as per declared or insured value of hull and machinery (whichever is higher) subject to a minimum of $200,000 in any one accident or occurrence

      3. An additional coverage at $500 for every ton or part thereof above 300 gross tonnes

      4. In the case of a Protection and indemnity (P & I) coverage, the P & I must be one which is recognised by the Authority and has a representative office in Singapore.

      5. The P & I Coverage for 1/4 Running Down Clause (RDC) must be amended to 4/4 RDC.

   2. Additional coverage for port limit passenger vessels (that is, craft licences to carry more than 12 passengers

      1. Liability for personal injury or loss of life

      2. Limits of liability – An additional minimum amount of $5,000 for every passenger in excess of the 12 that the craft is licenses to carry, in any accident or occurrence

   3. Additional coverage for port limit tankers and oil barges

      1. Liability for oil pollution damages and costs of preventing damages and costs of preventing or reducing damage results from the discharge or escape of oil

      2. Limits of liability - $1 million per 100 gross tons or part thereof in any one accident or occurrence

5. Craft’s minimum manning

6. Mooring letter or approval letter from the owner of the premises

7. Letter of approval for use of pier/landing places where applicable issued by the owner/manager of the facilities

8. Craft must be in port when application for new harbour craft licence is made

9. Any other documents or requirements as may be required by the Port Master.

Work Pass For Foreign Crew working on board MPA Licensed Harbour Craft
Foreign crew working on board the MPA licensed harbour craft must hold a valid work pass. Employers who hire foreigners without valid work passes can be prosecuted under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. For more information, please visit the Ministry of Manpower website.

Medisave for Self-Employed Scheme
For application of licences, self-employed applicants must ensure that they have paid up their medisave liabilities or have arranged for payment by instalment. For more information on the Medisave for the Self-Employed Scheme or to check the Medisave payment status for licence application or renewal, please log on to the CPF website.