Statute Details
- Title: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Licence Fees) Notification
- Act Code: MPASA1996-N1
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (Notification)
- Authorising Act: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A), Section 27(4)
- Enacting Formula / Basis: MPA has determined licence fees for licences granted under specified Regulations
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Legislative History (key amendments):
- 09 Apr 1997: SL 189/1997
- 30 Apr 2000: 2000 RevEd
- 01 Oct 2005: Amended by S 561/2005
- 01 Mar 2006: Amended by S 112/2006
- 01 Oct 2009: Amended by S 442/2009
- 01 Aug 2010: Amended by S 394/2010
- 01 Jan 2023: Amended by S 1008/2022
- 01 Apr 2025: Amended by S 193/2025
- Key Defined Term: “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 legal instrument that sets out the fees payable for licences granted under certain maritime and port-related regulations. In practical terms, it is the document that tells regulated parties how much they must pay when applying for, renewing, or otherwise obtaining licences that fall within the scope of the referenced regulatory framework.
Although the Notification is short in the extract provided, its legal function is significant: it converts an enabling power in the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act into a concrete fee schedule. The Notification does not create licensing requirements by itself; rather, it operationalises licensing by specifying the monetary amounts linked to the relevant regulatory provisions listed in its Schedule.
For lawyers advising shipping clients, port operators, agents, or other maritime stakeholders, the Notification is important because fees are often a gating item in compliance workflows. Delays, disputes, or budgeting errors can arise if the applicable fee is misunderstood or if the wrong version of the Notification is used. The Notification therefore serves as a reference point for cost and compliance in licensing matters.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Determination of licence fees for licences granted under specified regulations
The Notification’s core operative statement is 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 (a) the licensing regime contained in the Regulations and (b) the fee amounts that must be paid.
From a practitioner’s perspective, this means you should treat the Schedule as the authoritative fee table. When advising on fees, it is not enough to identify the relevant licensing regulation; you must also cross-check the corresponding entry in the Schedule to confirm the applicable fee amount and any tonnage-based or category-based calculation method.
2. Definition of “GT” (gross tonnage)
The extract includes a definition: 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 is crucial because many maritime fees are calculated by reference to vessel tonnage.
For legal and commercial work, this definition helps prevent disputes about which tonnage measure applies. It also signals that the fee calculation should follow the internationally recognised tonnage measurement framework, rather than an internal or alternative tonnage figure. If a client’s vessel documentation uses a different tonnage basis, counsel should verify whether the relevant “GT” for fee purposes aligns with the Convention measurement and the vessel’s certificate particulars.
3. Versioning and amendment history (practical legal impact)
The Notification is periodically amended (for example, by S 193/2025, S 1008/2022, and earlier instruments). Even where the extract does not show the Schedule contents, the amendment history indicates that fee amounts and/or fee structures can change over time. Practitioners should therefore be careful to use the correct version of the Notification as at the relevant date (e.g., the date of application, renewal, or the date the fee becomes payable under the underlying Regulations).
In disputes, the version date can be determinative. If a party paid under an earlier fee schedule, the question may arise whether the later amendment applies prospectively or to particular transactions. While the extract does not specify transitional provisions, the existence of multiple amendments underscores the need for a date-specific legal check.
4. Relationship to the enabling Act (scope of authority)
The Notification is authorised by Section 27(4) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A). This matters because it frames the Notification as an instrument made under statutory authority to set fees. In legal terms, the Notification’s validity depends on staying within the scope of the enabling power—namely, determining fees for licences granted under the Regulations identified in the Schedule.
For counsel, this relationship is also useful when assessing challenges. If a fee is demanded for a licence type not covered by the Schedule, or if the fee is demanded under a regulatory provision not properly linked to the Schedule, the Notification may be invoked to argue that the fee has no proper legal basis.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Notification is structured around a short enacting portion and a Schedule that contains the substantive fee information. In the extract, the enacting formula indicates that the fees payable under the relevant Regulations are set out in the Schedule. The Schedule is therefore the practical “working document” for fee determination.
In addition, the Notification includes definitions (such as “GT”) to support fee calculations. The legislative history section and version timeline reflect that the Notification is maintained and updated through subsequent amendments.
Although the extract does not reproduce the Schedule entries, a practitioner should expect the Schedule to be organised by reference to the Regulations and their respective provisions. This cross-referencing approach is typical for fee notifications: it ensures that the fee table tracks the licensing regime’s internal structure.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Notification applies to parties who seek or hold licences granted under the Regulations listed in the Schedule. In the maritime and port context, this typically includes shipping-related operators and service providers—such as vessel owners or operators, agents, and other stakeholders whose activities require licences under the relevant regulatory framework administered by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Because the Notification is fee-focused, its direct application is to the licensing process rather than to general maritime conduct. However, in practice, it affects a wide range of commercial actors: anyone whose licensing obligations are triggered by the underlying Regulations will need to account for the fees specified in the Schedule.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
First, the Notification is important because it provides the legal basis for charging licence fees. Fees are not merely administrative charges; they are typically required as a matter of regulatory compliance. For practitioners, this means the Notification can be central in advising on whether a fee demand is lawful, whether the correct fee was applied, and whether a client has paid the correct amount for the relevant licence category.
Second, the Notification’s definition of “GT” and its reliance on internationally measured gross tonnage helps reduce ambiguity in fee calculations. Tonnage-based fees are a common source of disagreement. By anchoring “GT” to the International Convention of Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969 (as amended), the Notification supports a consistent measurement standard. Counsel should therefore ensure that vessel documentation and tonnage figures used in applications align with this definition.
Third, the amendment history indicates that fee schedules can change. For compliance teams and legal advisers, this creates an ongoing need to monitor updates and to confirm the applicable version at the time of application or payment. In transactional settings—such as vessel acquisitions, charter arrangements, or restructuring of port operations—fee changes can affect cost projections and contractual budgeting. Where contracts allocate regulatory costs, the Notification becomes relevant to determining what costs are expected and when they crystallise.
Finally, while the extract does not show the Schedule, the Notification’s cross-referencing structure means it is best used as part of a combined legal analysis: you must read the underlying licensing Regulations alongside the Notification’s Schedule. This integrated approach is essential for accurate advice, particularly when multiple licence types exist or when a single regulatory instrument contains several fee-relevant provisions.
Related Legislation
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A), Section 27(4) (authorising provision for licence fee determination)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore licensing Regulations (listed in the Notification’s Schedule; the fees are payable under their respective provisions)
- Amendment instruments: S 561/2005, S 112/2006, S 442/2009, S 394/2010, S 1008/2022, S 193/2025
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.