Statute Details
- Title: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Licence Fees) Notification
- Act Code: MPASA1996-N1
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A), Section 27(4)
- Enacting Instrument: Government Notification (G.N. No. S 189/1997)
- Revised Edition: 2000 RevEd (30 April 2000)
- Current Version: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Legislative History (selected): Amended by S 561/2005; S 112/2006; S 442/2009; S 394/2010; S 1008/2022; S 193/2025
- Key Instrument Structure: The Schedule (fees for licences under regulations listed in the Schedule)
- Key Definitions: “GT” = gross tonnage measured under the International Convention of Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969 (as amended)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Licence Fees) Notification is a subsidiary legislative instrument that sets out the fees payable for licences granted under specified regulations administered in the maritime and port sector. In practical terms, it is the legal document that tells regulated parties how much they must pay when applying for, renewing, or holding certain licences that fall within the licensing framework under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) regulatory regime.
Although the Notification is relatively short in the extract provided, its legal function is significant: it converts the licensing framework in the underlying regulations into a fee schedule that is enforceable under Singapore law. The Notification is made pursuant to a specific enabling provision in the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act, which empowers the MPA to determine licence fees by notification.
The scope of the Notification is therefore not licensing policy in the abstract, but rather the monetary consequences of licensing. It applies to licences granted under the regulations that are referenced in the Schedule. For lawyers advising shipping companies, port operators, agents, or other maritime stakeholders, the Notification is typically consulted when assessing cost exposure, compliance budgeting, and the correct fee basis (including vessel tonnage measures such as “GT”).
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Determination of licence fees (core operative effect)
The Notification’s central provision (as reflected in the extract) states that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has determined that, in respect of licences granted under the regulations set out in the Schedule, the fees payable under the respective provisions of those regulations are set out in the Schedule. This is the legal “bridge” between the licensing regulations and the fee amounts.
For practitioners, the key takeaway is that the Schedule is the authoritative source for the fee amounts. If a client’s licence falls within the categories listed in the Schedule, then the fee is not a matter of discretion or negotiation; it is a statutory fee determined through this notification mechanism.
2. Use of “GT” (gross tonnage) as a fee measurement basis
The extract includes a definition: in this Notification, the term “GT” means the gross tonnage of a vessel measured in accordance with the International Convention of Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969, as amended from time to time.
This definition matters because many maritime fees are calculated by reference to vessel tonnage. A lawyer advising on fee disputes, vessel documentation, or compliance with measurement standards should note that the Notification anchors the tonnage measurement to an international convention framework. That reduces ambiguity about whether “GT” refers to a particular national measurement practice or an older tonnage system. It also provides a basis for challenging incorrect fee calculations where the wrong tonnage figure or measurement method is used.
3. The Schedule as the fee table
While the extract does not reproduce the Schedule’s fee amounts, the Notification is explicitly structured around “THE SCHEDULE”. The Schedule is where the regulated community will find the actual fee amounts and the mapping between (i) the relevant licence type and (ii) the fee payable under the corresponding regulation.
In practice, the Schedule typically requires careful cross-referencing: lawyers should identify the exact licence category under the underlying regulations, then locate the corresponding row/entry in the Schedule to determine the correct fee. Where fees vary by vessel characteristics (such as GT) or by licence duration or class, the Schedule will usually specify the relevant calculation basis.
4. Versioning and amendments (commercial and legal risk)
The legislative history indicates multiple amendments over time, including amendments in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2022, and 2025. The Notification’s current version is stated as at 27 March 2026, with an amendment effective 1 April 2025 by S 193/2025.
For legal work, this means that fee obligations may change over time. When advising on applications, renewals, or retrospective fee liabilities, counsel should confirm the version of the Notification applicable at the relevant date. A common practical issue is whether a fee was payable at the time of application, at the time of grant, or at the time of renewal—questions that are often resolved by the underlying regulations and the administrative practice, but the starting point is always the correct fee schedule version.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Notification is structured in a straightforward way:
(a) Enacting formula and operative determination—it records that MPA has determined the fees payable for licences granted under the relevant regulations.
(b) Definitions—it includes at least the definition of “GT”, which is crucial for tonnage-based fee calculations.
(c) The Schedule—the Schedule is the substantive component containing the fee amounts and the linkage to the underlying regulations. In fee-related instruments, the Schedule is effectively the “table of law” that practitioners must consult.
(d) Legislative history and amendments—the instrument includes a timeline of amendments, which is essential for determining the applicable fee regime at any given time.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Notification applies to persons and entities that seek or hold licences granted under the regulations referenced in the Schedule. In the maritime context, this commonly includes shipping-related businesses and operational stakeholders whose activities require MPA licensing—such as vessel operators, agents, port service providers, and other regulated parties depending on the licensing framework in the underlying regulations.
Because the Notification is fee-focused, its direct legal effect is on payment obligations. However, it indirectly affects compliance planning and licensing strategy: parties must ensure that they can meet the required fees and that they apply the correct fee basis (including correct tonnage measurement where “GT” is relevant). The Notification therefore has practical applicability to both applicants and licensees, particularly at renewal and when vessel details change.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
First, the Notification is important because it provides the authoritative legal basis for licence fees. In regulated industries, fees are often a major component of operating costs. The Notification ensures that fee amounts are set through a transparent legal instrument rather than informal administrative practice.
Second, the Notification’s inclusion of the “GT” definition highlights the legal significance of measurement standards. Where fees depend on vessel tonnage, disputes can arise if the wrong tonnage figure is used, if the vessel’s documentation is outdated, or if there is confusion about the measurement convention. By tying “GT” to the International Convention of Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969 (as amended), the Notification provides a defensible reference point for both compliance and dispute resolution.
Third, the amendment history underscores that fee schedules can change. For practitioners, this means that legal advice must be date-sensitive. Counsel should verify the applicable version of the Notification when advising on (i) the cost of licensing, (ii) renewal planning, (iii) budgeting and procurement, and (iv) any challenge to fee assessments. In fee disputes, the correct legal instrument version is often the first question.
Related Legislation
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A), Section 27(4) (authorising provision for licence fees by notification)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Licence Fees) Notification amendments: S 561/2005; S 112/2006; S 442/2009; S 394/2010; S 1008/2022; S 193/2025
- Underlying licensing regulations referenced in the Schedule (fees are payable under the respective provisions of those regulations)
- International Convention of Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969 (as amended) (measurement basis for “GT”)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Licence Fees) Notification for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.