Passenger ferry services
This sub-class includes the operation of ferries and/or water taxis as a form of transportation.
Licences & Permits
13 licences required to operate under this SSIC code, plus 0 that may apply depending on activity.
All bunker surveying companies in Singapore must be accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC).
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Pleasure craft of 24 metres in length and above shall be handled by those who hold a valid Advance Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (APPCDL) issued by MPA.
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Bunker Convention Certificate
With effect from 21 Nov 08, any ship having a gross tonnage greater than 1,000 that enters or leaves the port of Singapore is required to carry on board a Bunker Convention Certificate (BCC), to attest that insurance or other financial security to cover liability for bunker oil pollution damage is in place. An oil tanker having a gross tonnage greater than 1,000, whether actually carrying oil in bulk (i.e. when laden) or with oil residues onboard during the voyage following carriage of oil (i.e. on ballast voyage) would already be covered by the Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 1992 (CLC 92) and need not carry a BCC when entering or leaving the port of Singapore. However, an oil tanker which is greater than 1,000 GT would be required to carry a BCC in the exceptional circumstance where she is operating in completely "clean" condition, i.e. when it can be proven that there are no residues from the carriage of oil in, or remaining in its cargo tanks. All vessels applying for Port Clearance under the Sea Trial Scheme are also required to comply with this regulation. Currently, all ships calling at the port of Singapore are required to submit a Notification of Arrival (NOA) prior to their arrival. With effect from 21 Nov 08, all ships will need to indicate in the NOA, if the ship possesses a valid BCC issued by a Convention Party.
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
A company shall possess a valid Bunkering Licence (Bunker Supplier) issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in order to supply bunkers to vessels in the Port of Singapore using its own delivery documents.
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Harbour Craft Licence
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Harbour Craft Manning Licence
All personnel operating harbour craft must possess a valid harbour craft manning licence.
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Vessels that need to be broken up in port require written permission from the Port Master. For more information please visit: Apply on MPA
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Vessels more than 15 metres long require written permission from the Port Master before they can be launched in port. Regulation 52 of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations states: "No person shall cause or permit a newly constructed vessel of more than 15 metres in length to be launched, or to be placed into the waters of the port, without the prior written permission of the Port Master under such conditions as the Port Master may impose."
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Vessels that need to be laid up in port require written permission from the Port Master.
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
- Validity
- Valid for 12 months/24 months
- Processing
- is within 3 working days upon successful payment, when submission is in order
Prerequisites (20)
- LTA Test Certificate/ Malaysia Puspakom
- Test certificate issued by Land Transport Authority/ Malaysia Puspakom on the roadworthiness of the vehicle (in certified true copy)
- File format: doc, docx, pdf, jpg, rtf, htm, bmp, xls, xlsx,dwg
- Maximum upload per application: 2 MB
- Certificate of Vehicle Inspection (Mandatory)
- One certified true (or original) copy of the certificate of inspection in accordance to Regulation of the Fire Safety (Petroleum) Regulations duty endorsed by the supplier.
- File format: doc, docx, pdf, jpg, rtf, htm, bmp, xls, xlsx
- Maximum upload per application: 10 MB
- Hydrostatic and Radiographic or any equivalent Test Report endorsed by Professional Engineer (For Bulk Tank)
- One certified true (or original) copy of the following:
- 1. Hydrostatic or any equivalent Test Report
- 2. Radiographic or any equivalent Test Report
- File format: doc, docx, pdf, jpg, rtf, htm, bmp, xls, xlsx
- Maximum upload per application: 2 MB
- Letter of Authorisation from Supplier(LPG Package)
- Letter of Authorisation from Supplier(LPG Package)
- File format: doc, docx, pdf, jpg, rtf, htm, bmp, xls, xlsx
- Maximum upload per application: 2 MB
- Manufacturer's Report (For Bulk Tank)
- One certified true (or original) copy of Manufacturer's report (with tank design drawings) on the bulk tanker and bulk tank
Pleasure Craft
Pleasure craft means any craft which is intended for use within the port exclusively for sport or pleasure purposes, but does not include any craft which is used to carry passengers on sightseeing tours within the port for which each such passenger is charged a separate and distinct fare. All pleasure craft to be used in Singapore port waters must be licensed.
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
The Powered Pleasure Driving Licence (PPCDL) is required for driving engine- powered/jet-propelled pleasure craft (with SZ or SZH licence prefixes) of less than 24 metres within the port limits.
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Ship Station Licence
The Ship Station Licence is issued for the operation of the radio-communication equipment installed on-board ships registered in Singapore. For more information please visit: https://iris.imda.gov.sg/application/ship-station-licence
- Validity
- 5 years
- Processing
- Within 7 working days upon complete submission of information
Prerequisites (4)
- Certificate of Registry, Harbour Craft Licence or Pleasure Craft Licence
- Certificate of Registry, Harbour Craft Licence or Pleasure Craft Licence issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
- Maritime Mobile Service identity (MMSI) number assignment letter from IMDA
- Maritime Mobile Service identity (MMSI) number assignment letter from IMDA
Need help with these licences?
We handle the applications, document prep, and agency liaison end-to-end.
Licence requirements change — we keep this list current as part of the engagement.
Tax Incentives & Schemes
3 schemes that businesses in this SSIC code may qualify for. Eligibility is case-by-case — talk to the relevant authority.
Partial Tax Exemption (PTE)
Eligibility: Singapore tax-resident company.
Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE)
Eligibility: Newly incorporated SG-resident company, ≤ 20 individual shareholders (or one corporate holding ≥ 10%), not in investment-holding or property-development.
Note for SSIC : Excludes 64202 investment holding & 41001/68101 property development
Maritime Sector Incentive (MSI)
Eligibility: Substantive shipping or maritime services activity from Singapore. Multiple tracks (AIS, ML, SSS).
Worth applying for any of these?
We screen eligibility and shape the application — most schemes are discretionary and need a substantive activity case.
Foreign Worker Levies
This SSIC code falls under MOM's Services sector for foreign-worker levy purposes. Levies below apply per worker per month, paid by the employer in addition to salary.
S Pass
| Tier | Monthly | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | SGD 550 | Up to 10% of total workforce |
Work Permit
| Tier | Monthly | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Higher-skilled (Tier 1) | SGD 300 | Up to 10% |
| Basic (Tier 1) | SGD 450 | Up to 10% |
| Basic (Tier 2) | SGD 600 | 10–25% |
| Basic (Tier 3) | SGD 800 | >25% (up to DRC of 35%) |
Hiring foreign workers in this sector?
We handle Work Permit, S Pass, and EP applications alongside the incorporation — and check Dependency Ratio Ceilings before you commit headcount.
Levies and Dependency Ratio Ceilings are reviewed periodically by MOM (rates above effective 2024-09-01).
Classification Path
Need help choosing?
Our guide helps you find the right SSIC code for your business activity.
Read the SSIC Guide