PORT MARINE CIRCULAR NO. 15 OF 2024 REVISIONS TO THE MARITIME SINGAPORE GREEN INITIATIVE (MSGI) – INTRODUCTION OF GREEN CRAFT PROGRAMME (GCP) FOR NEW BUILD HARBOUR CRAFT
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
PORT MARINE CIRCULAR
NO. 15 OF 2024
31 DEC 2024
Harbour Craft Community
REVISIONS TO THE MARITIME SINGAPORE GREEN INITIATIVE (MSGI) –
INTRODUCTION OF GREEN CRAFT PROGRAMME (GCP) FOR NEW BUILD HARBOUR
CRAFT
This circular supersedes Port Marine Circular No.10 of 2022 and will take effect from
1 January 2025 until 31 December 2027.
2 The MSGI has been enhanced to better align with the targets established by the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) to achieve peak greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
from international shipping as soon as possible, and to guide the industry towards reaching
net-zero by or around 2050.
3 Under the revised MSGI, with effect from 1 January 2025, the incentives for new build
harbour craft under the Green Port Programme (GPP) will be subsumed under the new GCP,
which encourages the early adoption of zero-emission fuel and technologies, as well as zero-
and low- carbon fuels for new build harbour craft.
4 All craft that are currently registered under the 5-year waiver of craft port dues for low
or zero carbon-fuelled and fully electric MPA licensed harbour craft under the GPP will continue
to enjoy the waiver of craft port dues until the end of 5-year validity period, or until 31
December 2027, whichever is earlier, provided that the craft (a) maintains the MPA licence,
and (b) successfully demonstrates the use of zero-emission fuel/technology or zero/low
carbon fuel throughout the year1. For those craft that have yet to reach the full 5-year validity
period as at 31 December 2027, they will also need to provide MPA with documents including
calculations and verified proof of mitigation technologies to continue to enjoy port dues waiver
for the full 5-year validity period, to be in line with GCP. The craft registered under the GPP
will not be eligible for the new GCP.
5 The new GCP will offer craft port dues concessions for new build harbour craft (with
MPA Harbour Craft Licence issued between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2027) meeting
one of the following criteria:
1 MPA reserves the right to conduct annual documentation review for the waiver of craft port dues for
all eligible MPA licensed harbour crafts. Supporting documents must be made available to MPA upon
request throughout the applicable concession period.
1
Fuel/ energy source of new build % of craft port dues
harbour craft concession & duration2
Zero-emission3 fuel/technology (e.g. • Up to 120GT
hydrogen, full electrification, hybrid of • 100% concession for 10
hydrogen fuel cell and electrification years
etc.)
• >120GT
• 100% concession for 8
years
Zero-carbon fuel4 (e.g. ammonia5 100% concession for 10
≤25% pilot fuel with slip addressed, years
green/bio methanol with ≤25% pilot fuel,
B100 biofuel etc.)
Low carbon • LNG, with methane 30% concession for 3 years
fuels slip addressed (≤1%)
• B50 - B99
• Methanol5
• LNG, without 10% concession for 3 years
methane slip
addressed
• B24-B49
6 Participants in the GCP are required to meet the following terms and conditions:
a. To participate in the GCP, shipowners/charterers should ensure that their new
build harbour craft are registered under the GCP via the online registration process for
new Harbour Craft Licence in digitalPORT@SGTM at https://digitalport.mpa.gov.sg/.
The documents to be submitted during the registration process for verification is listed
in Table 1.
b. The eligibility for the port dues concession under the GCP will be assessed
during the registration of new build harbour craft. Only one concession scheme will be
granted to an eligible new build harbour craft, determined by the declared engine type
and the submission of relevant supporting documents to MPA. MPA will work with
participants on verified data and calculations, as well as the proof of the mitigation
technologies.
c. To enjoy the applicable craft port dues concession under the awarded
concession scheme, the craft must (i) switch to zero-emission fuel/technology or
zero/low carbon fuel for the main engine and auxiliary engine when operating in the
Singapore Port Limits, and (ii) use zero-emission fuel/technology or zero/low carbon
fuel throughout operations in the Singapore Port Limits.
d. Craft registered under the GCP will be subjected to annual documentation
review by the MPA during the concession period. Supporting documents (listed in
Table 1) must be made available to MPA upon request throughout the applicable
concession period to demonstrate the use of zero-emission fuel/technology or zero/low
carbon fuel. The approved concession will be granted at the end of each licence
period.
2 From the date of issuance of MPA Harbour Craft Licence.
3 Tank-to-wake emissions
4 Based on accounting of Singapore’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions
5 With carbon intensity no higher than the prevailing maximum carbon intensity of fuel allowed to be
bunkered to ocean–going vessels in Singapore
2
Table 1: Documentary Evidence
New Criteria Document(s) needed during Examples of documents to
application/registration be made available to MPA
upon request throughout
the concession period*
Zero-emission6 • International Air Pollution • Relevant bunker delivery
fuel/technology (e.g. Prevention (IAPP) Certificate note(s)
hydrogen, full with its accompanying • Daily consumption
electrification, hybrid of supplements record
hydrogen fuel cell and • Engine International Air • Engine records
electrification etc.) Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) • A Proof of Sustainability
Certificate with its or similar documentation
accompanying supplements from a recognized
• Class certificate (where scheme and relevant
applicable) data (new)
• Cargo Ship Safety
Construction Certificate
Zero-carbon fuel7 (e.g. • International Air Pollution • Relevant bunker delivery
ammonia8 ≤25% pilot Prevention (IAPP) Certificate note(s)
fuel with slip addressed with its accompanying • Daily consumption
& green/bio methanol supplements record
with ≤25% pilot fuel, • Engine International Air • Engine records
B100 biofuel etc.) Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) • A Proof of Sustainability
Certificate with its or similar documentation
accompanying supplements from a recognized
• Class certificate (where scheme and relevant
applicable) data (new)
• Cargo Ship Safety • Certificate of Quality
Construction Certificate (inclusive of FAME
• Engine maker attestation to content) (new)
certify pilot fuel consumption
and how ammonia
slip/NO /N O is addressed
x 2
(new)
Low-Carbon Fuels • International Air Pollution • Relevant bunker delivery
Prevention (IAPP) Certificate note(s)
• LNG, with methane with its accompanying • Daily consumption
slip addressed (≤1%) supplements record
• B50 - B99 • Engine International Air • Engine records
• Methanol8 Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) • A Proof of Sustainability
Certificate with its or similar documentation
accompanying supplements from a recognized
• Class certificate (where scheme and relevant
applicable) data (new)
• Cargo Ship Safety • Certificate of Quality
Construction Certificate (inclusive of FAME
• Engine maker attestation to content) (new)
certify pilot fuel consumption
and how methane slip is
addressed (new). This will
6 Tank-to-wake emissions.
7 Based on accounting of Singapore’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions.
8 With carbon intensity no higher than the prevailing maximum carbon intensity of fuel bunkered to
ocean–going vessels.
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New Criteria Document(s) needed during Examples of documents to
application/registration be made available to MPA
upon request throughout
the concession period*
subject to checks to qualify
for this higher tier.
Low-Carbon Fuels • International Air Pollution • Relevant bunker delivery
Prevention (IAPP) Certificate note(s)
• LNG, without with its accompanying • Daily consumption
methane slip supplements record
addressed • Engine International Air • Engine records
• B24-B49 Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) • A Proof of Sustainability
Certificate with its or similar documentation
accompanying supplements from a recognized
• Class certificate (where scheme and relevant
applicable) data (new)
• Cargo Ship Safety • Certificate of Quality
Construction Certificate (inclusive of FAME
content) (new)
* Vessels are required to retain the information listed above for at least one year from the date of
declaration. Copies of supporting documents such as the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP)
or Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) certificates, daily consumption record(s),
relevant bunker delivery note(s), engine record(s), and ISCC certification must be made available to the
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) upon request.
7 The port dues concession offered under the GCP is valid in conjunction to any other
concessions that the vessel may enjoy. All participants of the GCP are subject to the Terms
and Conditions outlined in this Port Marine Circular (PMC). MPA reserves the right to amend
the Terms and Conditions of the GCP, based on developments in IMO regulations and
Singapore’s domestic climate targets (Nationally Determined Contributions).
8 For queries regarding the programme, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) in Annex I. Should you have any further questions, please contact us at
greenport@mpa.gov.sg. For queries related to harbour craft licensing, please contact Marine
Licensing and Permits (MLP) at 1800 272 7777 or email at mlp@mpa.gov.sg.
CAPT CHONG JIA CHYUAN
PORT MASTER
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
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Annex I
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) FOR GREEN CRAFT PROGRAMME (GCP)
- How can a craft qualify for the port dues concession under GCP?
Harbour craft that fulfils the qualifying criteria will be prompted to apply for the
concession during the online registration process for the new harbour craft licence in
digitalPORT@SGTM at https://digitalport.mpa.gov.sg/.
- What if the craft meets multiple criteria under the GCP? Will the craft enjoy
multiple port dues concession?
No, only the most suitable concession scheme will be applied to an eligible new build
harbour craft.
- If the craft is previously registered under GPP and is approved for the 5-year
waiver, would the craft require registration under the GCP?
MPA licensed harbour craft that are currently registered under the 5-year waiver of
craft port dues for low or zero carbon-fuelled (under the GPP) will continue to enjoy
the waiver of craft port dues until the end of 5-year validity period, or until 31 December
2027, whichever is earlier, provided that the craft (a) maintains the MPA licence, and
(b) successfully demonstrates the use of zero-emission fuel/technology or zero/low
carbon fuel throughout the year9. For those craft that have yet to reach the full 5-year
validity period as at 31 December 2027, they will also need to provide MPA with
documents including calculations and verified proof of mitigation technologies to
continue to enjoy port dues waiver for the full 5-year validity period, to be in line with
GCP. The craft registered under the GPP will not be eligible for the new GCP.
- Is there a validity period for the compliant craft from the date of registration?
Yes, the craft will remain in the GCP listing for the applicable concession period (e.g.
3 years for use of low-carbon fuel) with the relevant documents provided upon request
from MPA for verification. See FAQ No.8 (Table 2) for further details.
- Will a retrofitted craft qualify for the port dues concession?
Retrofitted craft will generally not qualify for the craft port dues concession as the GCP
is targeted for new build harbour craft. However, retrofitted craft that meets the GCP
standards can be considered on a case by case basis.
- What if my craft undergoes retrofitting after registration?
It is strongly inadvisable for the craft to undergo retrofitting after receiving approval for
applicable concession scheme if the craft wishes to qualify for port dues concession
until the end of the validity period. Depending on the changes made to the craft, the
craft may be subjected to disqualification from the GCP and will not receive the craft
port dues concession.
9 MPA reserves the right to conduct annual documentation review for the waiver of craft port dues for
all eligible MPA licensed harbour crafts. Supporting documents must be made available to MPA upon
request throughout the applicable concession period.
5
- What if the Gross Tonnage (GT) of my craft changes after registration?
It is highly inadvisable to change the GT of the craft after receiving approval for the
concession scheme. For instance, if the GT of a fully electric craft is increased to more
than 120 GT, the validity period for the approved concession scheme will be reduced
from 10 years to 8 years. If the GT of the craft is decreased to less than 120 GT, the
validity period for the approved concession scheme will remain at 8 years. For both
cases, the craft port dues concession offered remains the same at 100% for fully
electric harbour craft.
- Under what circumstances will my craft not be able to enjoy the craft port dues
concession?
Craft registered under the GCP will be subjected to annual documentation review by
MPA and will not be awarded the concession for the year under the following
circumstances:
• The fuel/technology type used throughout operations in Singapore Port Limits
does not match the approved concession scheme (examples given in Table 2).
Table 2. Examples where craft will not enjoy port dues concession
Approved Fuel/technology Outcome
concession type used by
scheme craft
Low carbon fuel – B24 30% craft port dues concession is not
B50-B99 awarded for the year. No change in
duration of the concession scheme (3
years).
Low carbon fuel – B100 10% craft port dues concession is
B24-B49 awarded for the year. No change in
duration of the concession scheme (3
years) and no change to concession
scheme permitted after award.
Zero-carbon fuel – <B100 biofuel/ 100% craft port dues concession is
B100 biofuel conventional fuel not awarded for the year. No change
in duration of the concession scheme
(10 years).
• Craft does not meet the requirements during annual documentation review.
• Craft is delicensed at the point of mandatory annual documentation review for
port dues concession.
- Are there any fees associated with registering the craft under the GCP?
There are no fees required currently to register the craft under the GCP till 31
December 2027.
- When will the craft port dues concession be granted to my new build harbour
craft?
New build harbour craft eligible for the craft port dues concession under GCP will
continue to make payments upon both the issuance and renewal of harbour craft
licence. Following review of documentation that supports the use of zero-emission fuel
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or technology and zero- or low-carbon fuels, approved concessions will be granted at
the end of each licence period.
- What should I do if I am unsure of whether the craft qualifies for GCP?
For any uncertainties regarding the qualification, please contact us at
greenport@mpa.gov.sg. We would be pleased to assist further.
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