PORT MARINE CIRCULAR NO. 05 OF 2026 - JOINT ADVISORY: COMPLIANCE WITH THE HARBOUR CRAFT REGULATIONS AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN MANPOWER ACT

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

PORT MARINE CIRCULAR

NO. 05 OF 2026

20 April 2026

Shipping Community

Harbour Craft Community

JOINT ADVISORY: COMPLIANCE WITH THE HARBOUR CRAFT REGULATIONS

AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN MANPOWER ACT

This circular brings to the attention of the shipping and harbour craft communities

a joint advisory on compliance with the Harbour Craft Regulations and employment of

foreign manpower matters, as attached in APPENDIX A.

1. The joint advisory is issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

(MPA), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

1. For queries related to the joint advisory, please contact the following:

a) Harbour Craft Regulations – MPA online feedback link at

https://www.mpa.gov.sg/feedback

b) Employment of Foreign Manpower Matters – MOM’s online feedback form at

https://www.mom.gov.sg/contact-us

c) Landing Pass Matters – ICA online vessel and crew matters link at

https://go.gov.sg/vesselandcrewmatters

1. Thank you.

CHUA YENG HIAN

DIRECTOR (MARINE SERVICES)

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

APPENDIX A

20 APRIL 2026

Harbour Craft Community

JOINT ADVISORY: COMPLIANCE WITH THE HARBOUR CRAFT REGULATIONS

AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN MANPOWER ACT

We would like to remind the harbour craft community to comply with the

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft) Regulations (“the MPA

Harbour Craft Regulations”) and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (“the

EFMA”).

Penalties for crew manning related offences under the MPA Harbour Craft

Regulations

1. Employers must ensure that their vessels are manned by crew holding valid

Port Limit Manning Licences, as required under the Fourth Schedule of the MPA

Harbour Craft Regulations. To obtain Port Limit Manning Licences for foreign

employees, employers must first ensure these individuals hold valid work passes

issued by the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”).

1. Employers are reminded that the failure to comply with the MPA Harbour Craft

Regulations will render them liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000, and

in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine of up to $1,000 for every day or

part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.

Penalties for illegal employment offences under the EFMA

1. Employers must ensure that all foreign employees, whether or not certified

under the MPA Harbour Craft Regulations, hold valid work passes as required under

Section 5 of the EFMA before they can work in Singapore waters or perform any shore-

based work as a crew member of a harbour craft in Singapore.

1. Failure to comply with the EFMA will render employers liable, on conviction, to

a fine of at least $5,000 and not more than $30,000, or to imprisonment for a term not

exceeding 12 months, or to both for their first conviction. Employers who commit an

offence under the EFMA may have their existing work pass privileges suspended.

Landing pass policy

1. To enter and remain in Singapore, a foreigner is issued a landing pass by the

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA):

(i) as a member of the crew of a vessel which has arrived in Singapore; or

(ii) as a member of the crew of a vessel which is due to arrive in Singapore

APPENDIX A

for the duration stated on the landing pass. In the event of illegal employment, the

landing pass issued to a foreigner may be cancelled, and the security furnished in

respect thereof may be forfeited.

1. The authorities take a serious view of criminal activities and will not hesitate to

take firm action against errant employers that compromise Singapore’s maritime

safety and reputation, and undermine fair competition for those who abide by the rules.

CHUA YENG HIAN

DIRECTOR (MARINE SERVICES)

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

MARTIN KOH

DIRECTOR, ENFORCEMENT PLANNING AND POLICY

FOREIGN MANPOWER MANAGEMENT DIVISION

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

PHUA CHIEW HUA

COMMANDER (COASTAL)

INTEGRATED CHECKPOINTS COMMAND (SEA)

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY