MPA has in place a licensing regime for vessels operating in Singapore port waters to ensure the seaworthiness of vessels that are used for both commercial and pleasure purposes here. They are :

(i) A Pleasure Craft Licence is required for any craft which is used exclusively for pleasure purpose (other than for the carriage of passengers on sightseeing tours) and for the use of which a passenger, if any, is not charged a separate and distinct fare. The general information on the licence and its requirements can be found in our "Guidelines to Pleasure Craft Licensing".

(ii) Individuals are also required to obtain a Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) to drive any engine powered/ jet-propelled pleasure craft within the port limits. The general information on the PPCDL and its requirements can be found at MPA's website.

(iii) A Harbour Craft Licence is required for any craft which is used exclusively for commercial purposes within the port. These harbour craft are used as tug, floating crane, work-barge, salvage or wreck removal vessels. They are also used for the transportation of any cargo or passengers. The general information on the licence and its requirements can be found at MPA's website. 

(iv) A Regional Ferry Operator Licence is required for companies that operate regional ferries in Singapore. Regional ferry operators already had adopted a set of safety and security measures. The new licensing regime formalises the need for compliance to the safety and security measures. The Application Form together with the conditions for the Regional Ferry Operator Licence can be found at MPA's website. 

To view the full list of these charges, please click here.

A Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) issued by the MPA is required for driving of engine powered/ jet-propelled pleasure craft (with SZ or SZH licence prefixes) within the port limits.

To qualify for the PPCDL, a person must:

(i) be at least 16 years of age;

(ii) have successfully completed an approved course on the handling of a powered pleasure craft, at any of the PPCDL Centres approved by MPA's Portmaster

(iii) produce a valid certificate by a medical practitioner certifying that you have passed a sight test and are not physically handicapped

(iv) successfully completed the PPCDL Examinations conducted by the Singapore Maritime Academy

Please visit our website for further information on obtaining the PPCDL.

Please visit our website for more details.

Registration of a pleasure craft with the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) is voluntary. However, if you intend to sail the craft in foreign waters, it is advisable to register and obtain a nationality for the craft. The procedure and details are available at MPA's website.

The Certificate of Registry (Pleasure Craft) is valid for one year and may be renewed annually from the date of expiry of its initial registry or last renewal.