FAQ | Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
Source: http://www.mpa.gov.sg/singapore-registry-of-ships/register-with-srs/faq
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
FAQ | Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Only Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents or bodies corporate incorporated in Singapore may register themselves as owners of Singapore ships.
Yes, a company incorporated in Singapore with 100% foreign shareholders may register a Singapore ship. The ship must be self-propelled and 1,600 GT and above in size. However, owners may apply for an exemption from this regulation if the ship is operated from or based in Singapore.
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.
Qualifying 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.
Under the Maritime Sector Incentive (MSI), withholding tax (WHT) exemption will, subject to conditions, be extended to qualifying payments made in respect of qualifying financing arrangements entered into to finance the purchase or construction of Singapore-flagged ships. Please refer to the WHT exemption at this link for details.
Yes. You may download and use the Authorisation Letter template provided
here
to authorise another company to transact on your company's behalf.
Home
>
Singapore Registry of Ships
>
Register with SRS
>
FAQ
>
Share:
Share to LinkedIn
Share to Facebook
Share to Twitter
Print this page
Share to Email
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Only Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents or bodies corporate incorporated in Singapore may register themselves as owners of Singapore ships.
Yes, a company incorporated in Singapore with 100% foreign shareholders may register a Singapore ship. The ship must be self-propelled and 1,600 GT and above in size. However, owners may apply for an exemption from this regulation if the ship is operated from or based in Singapore.
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.
Qualifying 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.
Under the Maritime Sector Incentive (MSI), withholding tax (WHT) exemption will, subject to conditions, be extended to qualifying payments made in respect of qualifying financing arrangements entered into to finance the purchase or construction of Singapore-flagged ships. Please refer to the WHT exemption at this link for details.
Yes. You may download and use the Authorisation Letter template provided
here
to authorise another company to transact on your company's behalf.