Statute Details
- Title: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Scale of Dues, Rates and General Fees) Notification
- Act Code: MPASA1996-N2
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A), Section 27(1), (7) and (8)
- Citation / Gazette reference: G.N. No. S 190/1997 (Revised Edition 2000)
- Current status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key provisions (from extract): Sections 2–5; Schedule Parts I–V and VII (as reflected in the extract)
- Notable amendment history (high level): Frequent amendments by various S-number notifications, including S 48/2026 (w.e.f. 1 Feb 2026) and S 759/2024 (w.e.f. 1 Oct 2024)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Scale of Dues, Rates and General Fees) Notification (“MPA Scale Notification”) is the Singapore legal instrument that sets out how much the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (“MPA”) charges for a wide range of port-related services, regulatory processes, and welfare-related fees. In practical terms, it is the “price list” and payment framework that sits under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act.
Unlike an Act of Parliament, a notification of this kind typically does not create broad regulatory policy by itself. Instead, it operationalises the charging regime authorised by the Act. It specifies (i) the dues payable to MPA, (ii) the rates, charges and fees payable by the persons liable, (iii) the circumstances in which rebates and concessions may be granted, and (iv) payment mechanics such as interest for late payment. It also includes time-limited relief measures for certain fees.
For practitioners, the key value of the MPA Scale Notification is that it links the legal liability to pay to the detailed Schedule. The Schedule is where the actual amounts and categories are set out. Even where the extract does not reproduce the Schedule’s numeric tables, the structure and legal effect are clear: the Notification makes the Schedule binding and determines who must pay, when, and under what conditions relief may be available.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Citation and definitions (Section 1 and Section 2)
The Notification may be cited as the “Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Scale of Dues, Rates and General Fees) Notification”. Section 2 provides definitions that govern interpretation. These definitions are not merely academic; they determine how charging categories are classified. Examples from the extract include “block period” (a period of 10 days or part thereof), “day” (a continuous period of 24 hours), “GT” (gross tonnage measured under the International Convention of Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969), and “GST” (goods and services tax chargeable under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1993).
Several definitions also reflect Singapore’s port and LNG/offshore ecosystem, such as “FSRU” (floating storage regassification unit) and “FSU” (floating storage unit), as well as “container ship” and “mixed-use location”. There are also definitions that exclude certain categories from “fees” (for example, “fees” excludes fees payable in respect of the issue or renewal of a licence or permit). This exclusion matters because it prevents double-counting or misclassification: licence/permit-related charges may be governed by different instruments or different Schedule parts.
2. Charges, rates and fees; how the Schedule operates (Section 3)
Section 3 is the core charging provision. It provides that the dues payable to MPA are set out in Part I of the Schedule. It further provides that the rates, charges and fees in Part II of the Schedule are payable to MPA (unless otherwise stated in that Part) by the persons stated in that Part as being liable to pay. The Notification also expressly “imports” other Schedule parts for specific regulatory regimes: fees under the Harbour Craft Regulations (Rg 3) are in Part III; fees under the Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination Regulations (Rg 4) are in Part IV; and fees under the Pleasure Craft Regulations (Rg 6) are in Part V.
In addition, Section 3 recognises that certain maritime welfare fees payable by an owner, agent or master of a vessel calling at the port are set out in Part VII of the Schedule (as reflected in the extract). This is important for shipping operators and agents because it identifies the likely payer categories for welfare-related charges.
Section 3 also contains two practical “payment liability” mechanisms. First, where charges may be paid by more than one person, MPA may decide, in its discretion, the person or combination of persons who shall pay (Section 3(8)). Second, the Notification contemplates that some fee categories may be deleted or revised over time (as shown by the amendment annotations in the extract). Practitioners should therefore always verify the current Schedule version and the current definitions, especially where amendments have occurred.
3. Rebates and concessions—eligibility and conditions (Section 4)
Section 4 governs rebates and concessions. It states that rebates and concessions specified in the Schedule—including any permission or approval granted for a lower rate of composite port dues for vessels undergoing repairs, docking, outfitting, maintenance, building or conversion works, laid-up or awaiting work—may be granted only to a person who has a credit account with MPA.
This is a significant compliance point. Many port users seek commercial relief (for example, reduced composite port dues during certain operational downtime). Section 4 makes clear that such relief is not automatic; it is conditional on the payer having an MPA credit account. For counsel advising shipping lines, shipyards, or offshore operators, this means that rebate strategy may require corporate/financial onboarding steps (credit account arrangements) rather than relying solely on operational facts.
4. Temporary partial waiver for certain fees (Section 4A)
Section 4A introduces a time-limited fiscal relief measure. For the fees specified in certain paragraphs of 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 provision identifies the affected Schedule paragraphs (as reflected in the extract): paragraph 10(b)(i) and (ii); paragraph 12(a) to (d); paragraph 13(f)(i) and (ii), (g)(i) and (ii), and (h)(i) and (ii); and paragraph 14(a) and (b). The legal effect is that, for those specified fees, the payer receives a statutory waiver of 9% (excluding GST) during the specified window. Practitioners should therefore check (i) whether the relevant transaction falls within the listed Schedule paragraphs and (ii) whether the fee is “exclusive of GST” for the purposes of the waiver calculation.
5. Interest for late payment (Section 5)
Section 5 sets out payment timing and consequences. Under Section 5(1), all dues, rates and fees must be paid by such date as may be specified by MPA. Under Section 5(2), interest at 1% per month is levied on dues, rates and fees not paid within the specified period.
From a dispute-avoidance perspective, this provision underscores that late payment can quickly escalate costs. For billing disputes, counsel should consider whether the payer can challenge the underlying charge or whether the payment deadline has been properly specified. For enforcement planning, the interest rate is clear and relatively straightforward: 1% per month.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Notification is structured around a short set of operative sections and a detailed Schedule. The main sections are:
(i) Section 1 (Citation).
(ii) Section 2 (Definitions).
(iii) Section 3 (Charges, rates and fees; how Schedule Parts I, II, III, IV, V and VII apply; payer liability; MPA’s discretion where multiple payers exist).
(iv) Section 4 (Rebates and concessions; credit account requirement).
(v) Section 4A (Temporary partial waiver of 9% for specified fees during a specified period).
(vi) Section 5 (Interest for late payment).
The Schedule is the substantive repository of amounts and categories. Based on the extract, the Schedule includes at least: Part I (dues), Part II (rates, charges and fees), Part III (Harbour Craft Regulations fees), Part IV (Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination fees), Part V (Pleasure Craft Regulations fees), and Part VII (maritime welfare fees). The Schedule also contains the rebate/concession provisions and the specific fee paragraphs referenced in Section 4A.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Notification applies to persons who are liable to pay MPA dues, rates, charges and fees under the Schedule. Section 3(2) makes clear that the persons liable are those stated in the relevant Schedule parts. In practice, this typically includes vessel owners, agents, masters, port users, and regulated operators who interact with MPA’s regulatory functions and port services.
Section 3(7) specifically references maritime welfare fees payable by an owner, agent or master of a vessel calling at the port. Section 4 further narrows eligibility for rebates and concessions: only a person with an MPA credit account may be granted rebates/concessions specified in the Schedule. Therefore, even where a transaction qualifies on operational grounds (e.g., repairs or docking), the payer’s account status may determine whether relief is available.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
This Notification is important because it directly affects the cost structure of port calls and port-related activities in Singapore. For shipping lines, shipyards, offshore operators, and agents, the legal obligation to pay dues and fees is not discretionary; it is anchored in the Schedule and enforced through payment deadlines and interest for late payment.
From a legal risk perspective, Section 3’s mechanism for identifying the liable payer—and MPA’s discretion where more than one person may pay—means that disputes about who should bear the cost can arise. Counsel should therefore pay close attention to the Schedule’s payer categories and to how MPA exercises discretion in billing arrangements. Where multiple parties are involved (for example, owner vs agent vs charterer arrangements), contract drafting should align with the statutory payer framework to reduce exposure.
Finally, the Notification’s relief provisions can be commercially material. Section 4’s credit account requirement means that rebate planning should be integrated with corporate onboarding and account management. Section 4A’s temporary 9% waiver demonstrates that statutory relief can be time-bound and category-specific; practitioners should monitor amendments and ensure that transactions during the relevant period are correctly classified to capture the waiver.
Related Legislation
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 170A), especially Section 27(1), (7) and (8)
- Goods and Services Tax Act 1993 (definition of “GST” referenced in Section 2)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft) Regulations (Rg 3)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination) Regulations (Rg 4)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Pleasure Craft) Regulations (Rg 6)
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.