Owners and managers of Singapore-registered ships who wish to engage privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board the ship may already be aware that prior to the engagement of PCASP, they are to notify the relevant Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) departments through the respective general email accounts of the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) (
marine@mpa.gov.sg), Seafarers Management (
mmo@mpa.gov.sg) and Flag State Control (
shipping@mpa.gov.sg) for advisory, signing on of PCASP in the Electronic Ship Information (ESI) and lifesaving appliances (LSA) dispensation, if required, respectively.
As part of MPA's efforts to continuously improve our services for the shipping community, we have enhanced the notification procedure. Notification can now be made online via
Ship Registry e-Services. To ensure that the person is authorised to carry out the PCASP notification for the ship, this service will be
restricted to the following persons who have a valid email account registered with the Registry:
- Owner;
- Manager (as per the Appointment of Manager Form);
- ISM manager (as per Declaration of Company Form);
- DPA or CSO of the ship (as per Declaration of DPA/CSO Forms)
Different from ordinary ship registry-related online services, this service requires the applicant to enter a valid email account registered with the SRS to trigger the system to send the link to a separate notification page for the applicant to fill in the details of the PCASPs. This link is valid for 24 hours. For notifications that are ordinary in nature such as for the engagement of PCASP on a per voyage basis with common port of embarkation and disembarkation and sufficient LSA, the advisory and accompanying circulars will be issued and sent to the applicant immediately upon submission. LSA dispensation letter, if required, and subjected to approval, will be sent out separately from the advisory. For other notifications outside of the ordinary, we will respond to the applicant within 1-2 working days.
Applicants may refer to the Explanatory Note in the notification page for additional guidance on how to navigate the web page. Applicants may contact the Registry at
marine@mpa.gov.sg or Tel: 6375 1932 for enquiry on the use of this online system. On ESI and LSA-related matters, please contact our Seafarers Management (
mmo@mpa.gov.sg or Tel: 6375 6224) and Flag State Control (
shipping@mpa.gov.sg or Tel: 6375 1931) respectively.
Guidance and more information on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on Singapore ships in High Risk Area
Singapore law does not prohibit the use of privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board Singapore-registered ships, although the carriage and use of firearms and ammunition on board Singapore-registered ships is not encouraged given the potential escalation of violence and increased risks of crew injury and fatality. While the crew of a Singapore-registered ship, or their hired armed security personnel may lawfully bear arms, they will still be liable under Singapore's laws if they use their arms on board the ship without lawful excuse, as a person on board is not exempted from criminal liability in respect of any offence that he commits on the ship.
Shipping Circular
No. 15 of 2012 provides IMO document MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.2 guiding the use of PCASP on board ships in the high risk area, the selection criteria of private maritime security companies (PMSC) and the service provision considerations.
Shipping Circular
No. 10 of 2018 provides the Best Management Practices (BMP5) to deter piracy and enhance maritime security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.