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Everything you need to know about setting up and succeeding in Singapore
【Licensing】Ship Registration
Singapore Ship Registration Regulations (as of 2025)
The Singapore ship registration system is administered by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The following outlines the eligibility, procedures, and documentation requirements for registering a vessel in Singapore.
Vessel Eligibility
Vessels must comply with international conventions, including SOLAS 1974, Load Line 1966, Tonnage Measurement 1969 (TM-69), and MARPOL 1973/78.
Typically, vessels must be less than 17 years old; vessels over 17 years may be registered if in good condition and approved by the MPA (age is counted from keel laying).
Vessels must be classed with an MPA-recognized classification society and hold a valid Tonnage Certificate.
Owner Eligibility
Vessel owners can be Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents, or companies registered in Singapore (local or foreign).
Minimum paid-up capital: S$50,000 for foreign companies; local companies may have reduced requirements for tugboats/barges (see below).
Foreign-owned vessels must be at least 1,600 GT and self-propelled. Exemptions for certain tonnage requirements may be granted if the vessel operates in or is based in Singapore.
Tugboats/barges owned by local companies and their holding companies: capital requirement is 10% of the initial registration value or S$50,000, whichever is lower, but not less than S$10,000.
Ship Manager Requirement
Every vessel registered in Singapore must have a ship manager residing in Singapore.
Individual owners may act as their own managers; corporate owners may appoint an employee or a management company.
If the manager is a company, the person responsible for the vessel and their position must be disclosed.
Any change of manager must be reported within 7 days via the updated Appointment of Manager form.
Registration Categories and Application Procedure
Applicants may first apply for Provisional Registration, followed by Permanent Registration.
- Required Documents
- Application / Declaration Form
- Signed by the owner (individual or company) or authorized agent.
- Declaration date must be on or after the date of legal ownership.
- Signature must be witnessed by an MPA officer, surveyor, notary public, or other authorized person.
- Business Profile (for company owners only)
- Latest ACRA Instant Information printout with Certificate of Production of Statement by Computer (information must be current or not older than 3 months).
- Company Certificate of Incorporation.
- Latest Annual Return (Form 49 or Annual Report).
- Evidence of Ownership
- New vessels: Builder’s Certificate.
- Existing vessels: Bill of Sale or previous registry records; intermediate ownership transfer documents must be included if applicable.
- Foreign-signed documents must be notarized; as of June 2025, legalization/apostille is no longer required. Originals not required for new permanent registration applications.
- Tonnage Certificate
- Measured in accordance with TM-69 Convention.
- If a foreign-issued TM-69 certificate is used temporarily, an MPA- or authorized classification society-issued certificate must be submitted within 1 year.
- Class Certificate / Statement of Class
- Demonstrates that the vessel meets classification society standards. Applicable for new and existing vessels.
- For Post-dated Certificate of Registry, the application form must be submitted at least 3 working days before issuance (excluding signature), and the declarant must attend in person on registration day to verify signature and date.
Document Changes and Confidentiality
Changes to vessel information (owner, manager, management company, ownership) must be reported within 30 days with supporting documents.
Companies must disclose direct or indirect beneficial owners to determine local/foreign ownership. Disclosure is confidential except for company name and address.
Simplifications & Updates (Effective June 2025)
Copies of ownership documents (Builder’s Certificate, Bill of Sale, etc.) are acceptable; originals are not required.
Foreign-signed documents only require notarization; legalization/apostille is no longer necessary.
Fees
Initial Registration Fee: approx. S$2.50 / Net Tonnage (NT), subject to minimum S$1,250 and maximum S$50,000.
Annual Tonnage Tax: approx. S$0.20 / NT, subject to minimum S$100 and maximum S$10,000.
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