Statute Details
- Title: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Scale of Dues, Rates and General Fees) Notification
- Act Code: MPASA1996-N2
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (Notification)
- Authorising Act: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A), Section 27(1), (7) and (8)
- Current status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Citation: G.N. No. S 190/1997 (Revised Edition 2000)
- Key commencement (historical): [9th April 1997] (as per citation); current amendments continue to apply
- Key provisions (from extract): Sections 2–5; Schedule (Parts I–VII and additional Parts for specific regulatory fee regimes)
- Most relevant operational topics: Port dues, rates and general fees; rebates/concessions; temporary partial waiver; interest on late payment
What Is This Legislation About?
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Scale of Dues, Rates and General Fees) Notification (“MPA Scale Notification”) sets out the framework for how the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) charges shipping and port-related users. In practical terms, it is the legal instrument that tells you what you must pay, who must pay, when it is payable, and what relief mechanisms (rebates, concessions, waivers) may apply.
This Notification is not a “standalone” charging regime; it operates under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act. The Act provides MPA with the power to impose dues and fees, while the Notification specifies the actual scale and payment rules. The amounts and categories are largely contained in the Schedule, which is divided into multiple Parts covering different types of dues and fees, including general port dues and fees under specific subsidiary regulations.
For practitioners, the key value of the MP A Scale Notification is that it governs the commercial and compliance side of port operations: vessel calls, port services, and related administrative processes. It also contains procedural payment rules—particularly around late payment interest and eligibility for rebates/concessions—meaning it can directly affect disputes, billing, and enforcement outcomes.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Definitions and charging concepts (Section 2)
Section 2 defines key terms used throughout the Notification. These definitions are important because many dues and fees are calculated by reference to vessel characteristics (for example, GT—gross tonnage), time periods (for example, block period and day), or operational categories (for example, container ship, FSRU, FSU, and mixed-use location). The Notification also clarifies certain exclusions, such as that “fees” excludes fees payable in respect of the issue or renewal of a licence or permit. This matters when advising clients on whether a charge is governed by the Notification or by separate licensing/permit fee instruments.
2. Charges, rates and fees—where the amounts are found (Section 3)
Section 3 is the core “mapping” provision. It provides that:
- Section 3(1): the dues payable to MPA are set out in Part I of the Schedule.
- Section 3(2): the rates, charges and fees in Part II of the Schedule are payable by the persons stated in that Part (unless otherwise stated).
- Section 3(3)–(5): fees payable under specific MPA regulations are separately set out in additional Schedule Parts: Part III (Harbour Craft Regulations), Part IV (Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination Regulations), and Part V (Pleasure Craft Regulations).
- Section 3(7): maritime welfare fees payable by an owner, agent or master of a vessel that calls at the port are set out in Part VII.
Two practitioner-facing points in Section 3 deserve emphasis:
- Who pays where multiple payers are possible (Section 3(8)): if charges may be paid by more than one person, MPA may decide—in its discretion—the person or combination of persons who shall pay. This can affect contractual allocation between shipowners, agents, charterers, and operators, and it can be relevant in recovery actions or negotiations after billing.
- GST treatment (definition of GST): while the extract does not set out the GST calculation mechanics, the definition of “GST” indicates that GST is a relevant component in the charging framework. Practitioners should confirm whether particular Schedule items are expressed as inclusive/exclusive of GST and how GST is applied to waived or rebated amounts.
3. Rebates and concessions—eligibility and conditions (Section 4)
Section 4 provides that rebates and concessions specified in the Schedule (including permissions/approvals for lower composite port dues for certain vessel situations) may be granted only to a person who has a credit account with MPA. This is a significant eligibility restriction. It means that even if the Schedule contemplates a concession (for example, for vessels undergoing repairs, docking, outfitting, maintenance, building or conversion works, or laid-up/awaiting work), the applicant must satisfy the credit account requirement.
Practically, this provision affects how clients should structure their onboarding and credit arrangements with MPA. If a client does not have a credit account, they may be unable to access rebates/concessions even where the underlying operational facts would otherwise qualify them. For dispute prevention, counsel should ensure that the commercial team understands the credit account requirement and that applications for concessions are made in time and with the correct supporting documentation.
4. Temporary partial waiver for certain fees (Section 4A)
Section 4A introduces a time-limited relief measure: for certain specified fee items in the Schedule, an amount equivalent to 9% of each fee (exclusive of GST) is waived for the period between 1 October 2024 and 31 December 2025 (both dates inclusive). The waiver applies to fees specified in particular Schedule paragraphs (as listed in the extract, including paragraphs 10(b)(i) and (ii), 12(a) to (d), 13(f) (i) and (ii), 13(g) (i) and (ii), 13(h) (i) and (ii), and 14(a) and (b)).
Two legal/commercial implications follow:
- Exclusive of GST: the waiver is calculated on the fee amount excluding GST. This is important for billing accuracy and for any downstream disputes about whether GST should be included in the base for the waiver.
- Scope is item-specific: only the fee categories identified in Section 4A are eligible. Practitioners should not assume that all port-related fees are waived during the period; the waiver is confined to the enumerated Schedule paragraphs.
5. Interest on late payment (Section 5)
Section 5 sets out the payment timing and consequences of late payment:
- Section 5(1): dues, rates and fees must be paid by such date as may be specified by MPA.
- Section 5(2): interest at 1% per month is levied on amounts not paid within the specified period.
From a practitioner’s standpoint, this provision is often central to enforcement and recovery. It establishes a statutory interest rate and a clear trigger (non-payment within the period specified by MPA). Counsel should therefore review MPA invoices, payment deadlines, and any correspondence that might affect the “period referred to” in Section 5(1). Where clients seek to contest interest, the factual record around payment dates and the specified due date is critical.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Notification is structured as follows:
- Citation and interpretation (Section 1–2): Section 1 provides the short title; Section 2 defines key terms used in the charging and fee framework.
- Charges, rates and fees (Section 3): Section 3 explains how the Schedule is organised and which Schedule Parts correspond to which categories of dues/fees, including fees under other MPA regulations.
- Rebates and concessions (Section 4): sets eligibility conditions (credit account requirement) for Schedule-specified rebates/concessions.
- Temporary partial waiver (Section 4A): provides a time-limited 9% waiver for specified fee items, calculated exclusive of GST.
- Interest (Section 5): provides the statutory interest regime for late payment.
- Schedule: contains the detailed scale of dues and fees, divided into multiple Parts (at least Parts I, II, III, IV, V, and VII are referenced in the extract). The Schedule also contains the legislative history/amendment annotations in the online consolidated view.
For legal research and billing disputes, the Schedule is where the “numbers” live. The operative sections mainly tell you how to locate the relevant fee item and what conditions apply (credit account eligibility, waiver period, interest consequences).
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Notification applies to persons who are liable to pay MPA’s dues, rates and fees as specified in the Schedule. Section 3(2) makes clear that the Schedule identifies the persons liable for the rates, charges and fees in Part II. Section 3(7) further specifies that maritime welfare fees are payable by an owner, agent or master of a vessel that calls at the port.
In addition, eligibility for rebates and concessions is limited by Section 4: only persons with a credit account with MPA may be granted the Schedule-specified rebates/concessions. Therefore, the Notification’s practical reach extends beyond “who uses port services” to “who has the required commercial relationship with MPA” to access relief.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The MP A Scale Notification is important because it operationalises MPA’s statutory charging power. For shipping clients, port operators, and their advisers, it is the legal basis for routine invoicing and for the financial consequences of non-payment. It also provides structured relief mechanisms—rebates/concessions and temporary waivers—that can materially affect cost calculations and contract budgeting.
From an enforcement and dispute perspective, Section 5’s interest provision is a key risk area. A client may face not only the principal dues/fees but also interest at 1% per month if payment is late relative to the date specified by MPA. This can become significant where there are billing disputes, delays in internal approvals, or disagreements about the correct fee category in the Schedule.
Finally, the Notification’s credit-account requirement for rebates/concessions (Section 4) is a common compliance pitfall. Even where the underlying vessel circumstances appear to qualify for a concession (repairs, docking, conversion, laid-up status, etc.), relief may be unavailable without the required credit account. Practitioners should therefore treat the Notification as both a legal and commercial compliance document: advising on payment timing, invoice categorisation, and the client’s credit arrangements with MPA.
Related Legislation
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A), especially Section 27(1), (7) and (8)
- Goods and Services Tax Act 1993 (GST definition referenced in Section 2)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft) Regulations (fees set out in Schedule Part III)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination) Regulations (fees set out in Schedule Part IV)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Pleasure Craft) Regulations (fees set out in Schedule Part V)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Scale of Dues, Rates and General Fees) Notification for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.