Incentives Schemes

Block Transfer Scheme (BTS)

• The BTS gives an 80% discount over the initial registration fee (IRF) to shipowners who register their ships fulfilling the BTS criteria. Under the BTS, the vessel would be registered at the rate of $0.50 per NT subject to a minimum of $1,250 for 2,500 NT and maximum of $20,000 for 40,000 NT.

• The Block Transfer Scheme (BTS) applies to owners registering vessels, within a period of 12 months from the first approval date, subject to satisfying the following criteria:
  
  
  • 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

• To apply for BTS, owners are required to write in to marine@mpa.gov.sg and complete the Application for BTS (.pdf, 185 KB) form, prior to registering the vessels. Owners should clearly state the total number of vessel, each vessel's net tonnage and the approximate date of registration for each vessel.

Green Ship Programme (GSP)

What is the Green Ship Programme?

Green Ship Programme (GSP) addresses the targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to peak greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping as soon as possible and reach net-zero by or around, i.e. close to 2050; the emergence of greener engines/technologies; and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) requirement under MARPOL Annex VI which entered into force on 1 January 2023. 

How does it benefit you?

Qualifying Singapore-flagged ships can enjoy a reduction of Initial Registration Fee (IRF) and a rebate on Annual Tonnage Tax (ATT).

• Adopt Zero-Emission fuelled engine/technology

SRS that adopt engines/technologies capable of using zero-emission fuels (e.g. hydrogen, battery) as its primary fuel. These ships will enjoy 100% concession on the Initial Registration Fee (IRF) and 100% concession on the Annual Tonnage Tax (ATT).

• Adopt Zero-Carbon coupled with near-zero emissions fuelled engine

SRS that adopt engines capable of using zero-carbon fuels (e.g. ammonia with pilot fuel capped at 25% on an energy basis with ammonia slip, NO_x and N₂O addressed) as its primary fuel will enjoy 100% concession on the IRF and 80% concession on the ATT.

• Adopt Low-Carbon fuelled engine with C_F Value < 1.375 

SRS that adopt engines capable of using fuels with C_F (conversion factor between fuel consumption and CO₂ emission) < 1.375 as its primary fuel will enjoy 75% concession on the IRF and 50% concession on the ATT.

• Adopt Low-Carbon fuelled engine with 1.375 < C_F Value < 2.750        

SRS that adopt engines capable of using fuels with 1.375 < C_F Value < 2.750 as its primary fuel will enjoy 50% concession on the IRF and 20% concession on the ATT.

• Exceed IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI EEDI requirement

SRS that exceeds the requirements of IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI Phase 3 EEDI by 10% or more will enjoy 20% concession on the IRF and 20% concession on the ATT.

• Achieve CII Rating A

SRS that achieve a CII “A” rating would also receive an additional 5% concession^[1] on ATT.

How do you qualify?

• To qualify for the GSP, please submit the following documents to the Singapore Ship Registry Department at marine@mpa.gov.sg for our assessment.

Table 1: Documentary Evidence

[2] The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) entered into force on 1 January 2013. It is a technical measure aiming at promoting the use of more energy efficient equipment and engines for the design of new ships in order to make them less polluting. The EEDI requires a minimum energy efficiency level per capacity mile (e.g. ton mile) for different ship type and size segments.

Submissions and enquiries can be made via email to marine@mpa.gov.sg. For more details, please refer to Shipping Circular 12 of 2024

Annual Administrative Fee Scheme

• What is the Annual Administrative Fee (AAF) Scheme?

•  The AAF scheme provides an alternative payment mode option applicable to all Singapore-registered owners for registration and crewing-related services. The AAF scheme would be priced on a tiered fees based on size of ship.
  

• From 1st July 2017, the following enhancements to the AAF scheme is applicable:   

1. The list of services covered under the AAF scheme will be expanded to include Seafarer Certification   Services such as certificates of competency, certificates of proficiency and type rating certificates.  
   
   
2. On top of the enhanced AAF scheme, owners/operators of Singapore-registered tankers, irrespective of the ship size, can also sign up for the optional Tanker Endorsement Fee (TEF) at an additional flat fee of $122.24 per ship (inclusive of 9% GST) for applications and issuance of tanker endorsements.

• For owners that enrol their ships in the scheme after January of each year, the scheme allows for pro-ration of the fee according to the remaining months in the calendar year, including the month in which the enrolment commences. The tiered fees remain non-refundable.
  
  
  
• All ships that enrolled into the scheme will no longer be issued with invoices detailing every transaction related to registration, crewing and training-related services covered under this scheme.
  
  
• For more details, please refer to Shipping Circular No. 11 of 2017 (.pdf, 133 KB)

• How do you enrol?
  
  
  • The ships that may enrol in the scheme only applies to existing tonnage in the Singapore Registry of Ships as well as new tonnage to be registered.
    
    
  • For more details on the Annual Administrative Fee scheme as well as list of applicable services under the scheme, please refer to Shipping Circular No. 11 of 2017 (.pdf, 133 KB). If you are interested to enrol into the scheme, you are to make an application to the SRS by completing the application form (.pdf, 195 KB). Upon successful application, the flat fee will be deducted from the owner or ship manager or ship agent’s account.

Other Schemes

MPA also administers other schemes to the maritime and related companies to grow and develop their business in Singapore.