COVID-19 Crisis: Singapore Announces Resilience Budget for Maritime Industry

COVID-19 Crisis: Singapore Announces Resilience Budget for Maritime Industry
Baibhav Mishra - March 27, 2020 https://seanews.co.uk/shipping/maritime-shipping/covid-19-crisis-singapo...

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will provide economic relief to passenger vessel owners and operators, as well as passenger terminal operators, who have seen a drop in passenger volumes due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) outbreak. This was announced today by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Heng Swee Keat, as part of the Resilience Budget.

Extension of 50% port dues concession to passenger vessels

In February 2020, MPA announced a 50% port dues concession to passenger vessels [1] from 1 March to 31 August 2020. MPA will now extend the concession for another four months till 31 December 2020. This will be on top of all existing port dues concessions [2].

35% rebates on counter rental and overnight berthing for regional ferry operators

MPA will work with passenger terminal operator, Singapore Cruise Centre Pte. Ltd. (SCCPL), to provide support to regional ferry operators. SCCPL has given a 15% rebate to regional ferry operators to offset their monthly rental fees for overnight berthing of vessels and counter rental at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal for three months from March 2020. MPA will provide an additional 35% rebate to these operators, bringing the total rebates to 50%.

100% waiver of public licence fees for passenger terminal operators

MPA will grant passenger terminal operators, SCCPL and SATS-Creuers Cruise Services Pte. Ltd., a 100% waiver of their public licence fees for one year (FY 2019).

All regional ferries and cruise vessels with a port stay of not more than five days, and passenger-carrying harbour craft will qualify for this concession.

Existing concessions include port dues concession for vessels under the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative, and 20% port dues concession given to qualifying passenger cruise ships.

Sea News, March 27