Benefits of SRS
Why Choose the Singapore Flag
In addition to the myriad of incentives that encourage companies to grow their business in Singapore, our ship registry offers the following benefits to ships registered in Singapore:
- Adoption of International Standards: Singapore is party to all the major International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions on ship safety and prevention of marine pollution.
- Proven Security and PSC Record: SRS is on the white list of major port state control regimes, with a dedicated Flag State Control Unit (FSCU) actively monitoring, identifying and taking enforcement action against Singapore vessels.
- Experienced and Accountable Administration: SRS is a hands-on, efficient administration that responds quickly to the needs of the shipping community with diligence and quality of service. With nearly 50 years of experience, it is recognized by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) as a Non-Flag of Convenience (FOC) registration.
- Incentive Program: The uniqueness of SRS can also be attributed to our attractive and business-friendly program.
- Choice of Classification Societies: In addition to MPA, there are eight internationally recognized classification societies authorized to inspect and issue Tonnage, Safety and Pollution Prevention Certificates to Singapore ships:
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
Bureau Veritas (BV)
China Classification Society (CCS)
Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
Korean Register of Shipping (KRS)
Lloyd's Register
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Japan Maritime Association, ClassNK)
Registro Italiano Navale (Italian Naval Register, RINA)
- Flexibility of Crew Nationality: As a shipowner of a Singapore-registered vessel, you can employ officers and crew of any nationality. To maintain quality and competence, all seafarers must meet the standards of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978.
- Recognition of foreign certificates of competency: Singapore allows foreign officers and engineers who hold a valid and relevant foreign certificate of competency (COC) to serve on Singaporean ships. No prior approval is required. Shipowners only need to apply for a Certificate of Endorsement (COE) for seafarers holding a foreign COC.
- Tax Exemption: Profits derived from Singapore ship operations are exempt from Singapore income tax. Singapore's efficient infrastructure and friendly business environment continue to attract shipowners from around the world to register their vessels under the Singapore flag. It is an internationally recognized shipping quality register. Popular with all ports of the world, this hallmark of quality translates into your business advantage over traditional operators. With no restrictions on trading areas for Singapore-flagged vessels, your clients will always prefer to deal with a Singapore-incorporated maritime operator.
Prerequisites for Ship Registration
The Vessel
- With the exception of fishing boats, hydrofoils and wooden boats, all types of vessels can be registered, including offshore vessels such as oil rigs and floating platforms. Ships should comply with the relevant requirements set out in the IMO Conventions such as SOLAS 74, Load Line 66, Tonnage Measurement (TM) 69 and MARPOL 73/78.
- Ships under 17 years of age that meet these requirements and are classed with any of the eight recognized classification societies can generally be registered. The age of the ship is based on the year when the keel was laid.
Ships under special operating environment may be exempted. Equipment and arrangements approved by other maritime authorities and in compliance with IMO conventions are generally accepted.
The Owner
- Only the following persons can be registered as owners of Singapore vessels:
Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident (PR); and
Company incorporated in Singapore that is either locally or foreign-owned
- A locally-owned company is a company incorporated in Singapore that is more than 50% owned by Singapore citizens or other locally owned companies.
- A foreign-owned company is a company incorporated in Singapore, more than 50% of which is owned by non-Singapore citizens; - A Singapore incorporated company must have a minimum total paid-up capital of S$50,000.
- Notwithstanding the minimum paid-up capital requirements, the Registrar may, at its discretion, waive these requirements if the company Corporation and/or its related companies have registered, applied for registration, or have notified the Registrar that they will apply for registration:
1 ship with gross tonnage of 40,000 NT
2 ships with gross tonnage of 40,000 NT$
3 ships with gross tonnage of 30,000 NT
4 ships with gross tonnage of 20,000 NT
5 ships with any gross tonnage
- A foreign-owned company may register a Singapore-flagged vessel under the following conditions:
The minimum paid-up capital of the company must be S$50,000; and
Vessels must be at least 1,600 gross tons and be self-propelled.
- Registrars may, at their discretion, waive the gross tonnage requirement if the vessel is operating from or based in Singapore. Owners must apply for this exemption in writing to the Registrar.
- For local companies and their holding companies that own tugboats and barges, the paid-up capital will be pegged to 10% of the value of the first tugboat or barge registered or S$50,000, whichever is lower, with a minimum of S$10,000.
The Manager
Commercial Manager as Point of Contact
- The owner of every Singapore vessel is required to appoint a manager who resides in Singapore. A manager can be an officer of the owning company or a management company.
- The Manager will be responsible for all matters related to the ship's registration and crewing, such as day-to-day correspondence with the Registry of Ships (REG) and Seafarer Management Department (SMD), billing including the Annual Tonnage Tax (ATT). All ship related communications will be sent directly to the manager.
Technical manager responsible for matters related to the International Ship Manager (ISM) Code and the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code for ships
- The manager appointed by the owner will be responsible for matters related to the ISM Code and ISPS Code for ships. The technical manager appointed by the owner need not be a resident of Singapore. The vessel may be technically managed by a "company" outside of Singapore. "Company" means the owner of the Vessel or any other organization or person, such as a responsible manager or bareboat charterer, who has agreed to take over all duties and responsibilities under these Codes.
Ship Registration Overview
The procedure for registering a ship with the Singapore Ship Registry of Ships is simple and fast, requiring only 5 main steps.
Below is a summary of the steps to register your vessel.
Step 1
Prerequisites
As the boat owner, you should ensure that the prerequisites for registration are met.
Step 2
Write to the Ships Registry
Write to the Ship Registry at marine@mpa.gov.sg to obtain approval for the chosen name of your vessel.
Step 3
Submit registration documents
Submit the relevant documents required for provisional registration or permanent registration.
Step 4
Pay the registration fee
Pay initial registration fee and annual tonnage tax.
Step 5
Ship registered
Your boat has been successfully registered and you will receive a certificate of registration and note for carving and marking.
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