Seafarers Relief Package

Being part of the frontline workers who keep essential goods flowing, the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP), which is part of the MaritimeSG Together Package, provides further financial support to the Singaporean seafarers whose employment on-board have been affected in the wake of the global COVID-19 outbreak.

Since 1 May 2020, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), together with the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union (SMOU) and Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS), have provided up to $800 per month in financial assistance to each Singapore seafarer who was unable to secure shipboard employment between 1 May 2020 to 31 December 2020, due to border control measures and crew change restrictions.

More information on this scheme may be found in PMC No. 39 of 2020.

Revised Achievement Award

In recognition of the continued demand for highly qualified Singaporean seafarers with technical expertise, a revised achievement award was also announced together with the SRP. This achievement award rewards eligible applicants up to $10,000 for the successful completion of various criteria such as obtaining a certificate of competency class 1 and the completion of at least 6 months of sea time as a senior officer on board.

Since the announcement, MPA, the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), SMOU and SOS have come together and agreed to extend the scheme by an additional year. Applicants will now have up till 31st December 2021 to apply for this achievement award.

More information on this scheme may be found in PMC No. 25 of 2020.

Cadet Allowance Reimbursement Scheme

The Cadet Allowance Reimbursement Scheme (CARS) was introduced in 2015 to encourage employers to train Singaporean cadets who are pursuing their Certificate of Competencies (COCs) under the Diploma in Nautical Studies (DNS) and the Diploma in Marine Engineering (DMR) in the Singapore Maritime Academy, by alleviating part of the employer's training cost in monthly allowance.

In wake of the pandemic, cadets under the DNS and DMR had to be recalled, leaving them uncertain of the potential placements they would be able to obtain once they were finally allowed to be placed on board. To address this, MPA continues to encourage companies to actively hire Singaporean cadets and will extend the CARS by 2 years. In effect, the allowances for DNS and DMR cadets that are sailing between 1st January 2021 and 31st December 2022 will continue to be defrayed as detailed in SC No. 26 of 2015.