Singapore's MPA offers port incentives
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will exempt ships with a port stay of not more than five days from the payment of Maritime Welfare Fees, allowing shipowners to reduce their overall operating costs, Seatrade Asia online reports.
The new initiative commenced on Monday and will last for a period of five years. It is also expected to cost MPA an estimated S$7m ($5.7m) a year.
Maritime Welfare Fees are collected to provide welfare activities, training and subsidy for housing of seafarers from visiting vessels. Even with the exemption, MPA will continue to provide a range of welfare facilities and activities for visiting seafarers.
MPA will also raise its co-funding support for three manpower schemes – Training@MaritimeSingapore, Talent@MaritimeSingapore and InvestManpower@MaritimeSingapore – under the Maritime Cluster Fund. Co-funding support for the schemes will be increased from the current 50% to 70% and will take effect from October for a period of three years.