Frequently Asked Questions
No. Only Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents or bodies corporate incorporated in Singapore may register themselves as owners of Singapore ships.
Owners may write in to request for consideration under the Block Transfer Scheme (BTS) when registering:
- 1 ship aggregating at least 40,000 NT
- 2 ships aggregating at least 40,000 NT
- 3 ships aggregating at least 30,000 NT
- 4 ships aggregating at least 20,000 NT
- 5 ships of any aggregating tonnage
Owners must write in to request for consideration under the Block Transfer Scheme. Owners should clearly state the total number of vessels, each vessel’s Net Tonnage (NT) and the approximate date for each vessel’s registration.
No. The surveyor of any of the nine classification societies authorised by MPA may survey the vessel.
It takes 2-3 working days for a mortgage to be registered or discharged. Where a service to register or discharge a mortgage is required after office hours, prior arrangement must be made with the staff of the Registry of Ships.
Income of a shipping enterprise derived from the operation of a Singapore ship is exempt from Singapore income tax or taxed by reference to the net tonnage of the ship. The exemption or alternative basis of tax based on the net tonnage of the ships applies to income derived from the carriage in international waters of passengers, mails, livestock or goods, or from towing or salvage operations carried out in international waters by Singapore ship, and includes income derived from the charter of Singapore ships.