MPA unveils S$27m support package for maritime sector

Singapore

THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday announced a S$27 million support package to help maritime companies and seafarers amid Covid-19.

The MaritimeSG Together Package will provide vessel owners and operators of cargo vessels with a 30 per cent port dues concession for cargo vessels from May 1 to the end of this year.

MPA will also grant a 30 per cent port dues concession for all non passenger-carrying harbourcraft in the Port of Singapore over the same period.

MPA has earlier announced a 35 per cent 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 starting March 2020. With effect from May 1, 2020, MPA will increase this support to 50 per cent until Dec 31, 2020.

In addition, from May 1, MPA will increase its rebate for regional ferry operators from 35 per cent to 50 per cent, up till end-2020. This will help the operators offset their monthly rental fees for overnight berthing of vessels and counter rental at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The previously announced 35 per cent rebate was slated to last for three months from March.

Recognising that maritime firms may face cash flow challenges, MPA will also exercise flexibility in credit management measures from May 1 to end-2020.

To help individuals in the sector, MPA will introduce new manpower schemes and increase the co-funding provided under selected Maritime Cluster Fund programmes, from May 1 to end-2020.

A new Maritime Cluster Fund-Internship Reimbursement Scheme will also help maritime firms provide students who are Singaporeans or permanent residents with internship opportunities. MPA will co-fund 50 per cent of the internship allowance paid by maritime firms, capped at S$500 per month per intern, for up to six months.

The authority will also increase its co-funding support under selected Maritime Cluster Fund schemes to up to 90 per cent. These measures seek to encourage upskilling and digital transformation efforts.

Separately, MPA is facilitating the return of Singaporean seafarers who wish to sign off when their ships call at Singapore. With Covid-19, seafarers face uncertainty due to increased border control measures and crew change restrictions.

To support the 500-odd Singaporean seafarers, MPA and the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union (SMOU) will roll out the Seafarers Relief Package for eligible seafarers who are unable to secure shipboard employment between May 1 and July 31, 2020. They can apply to receive up to S$800 per month in financial assistance.

MPA will further provide a one-off increase of S$50,000 to its annual contribution of S$150,000 to seafarer missions in May 2020. The annual grant supports welfare services for seafarers including free counselling.

MPA, the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), SMOU, and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen are also jointly providing S$10,000 to eligible Certificate of Competency Class 1 holders who can accumulate at least six months of sea experience as chief officers or second engineers from January to December 2020.