SINGAPORE: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which is continuing its investment to develop the island as an international maritime centre, is expected to benefit from enhancements to the existing Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) and exemption of maritime welfare fees.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, who announced the two initiatives last night at the Singapore Shipping Association anniversary dinner, said this would encourage more maritime companies to train and develop the capabilities of their local employees.
MPA will be raising its co-funding support for the three manpower schemes – Training@MaritimeSingapore, Talent@MaritimeSingapore and InvestManpower@MaritimeSingapore – under the MCF.
Co-funding support for the schemes will be increased from the current 50 per cent to 70 per cent and will take effect from October for three years. The increased co-funding support is expected to cost MPA S$2 million a year.
In addition, the Training@MaritimeSingapore scheme will also be extended to include non-maritime employees and displaced maritime executives who wish to attend maritime-related certifiable programmes.
Liu said the enhancements to the MCF manpower schemes were part of efforts to develop a continued supply of skilled manpower to sustain Singapore’s growing maritime industry. In response to industry feedback, MPA will exempt vessels with a port stay of not more than five days, from the payment of Maritime Welfare Fees.
Vessels visiting the Port of Singapore will be able to reduce their overall operating costs and this initiative will take effect on Oct 1, 2012 for a period of five years and is expected to cost MPA an estimated S$7 million a year. Maritime Welfare Fees is collected to provide welfare activities, training and subsidy for housing of seafarers from visiting vessels.
Meanwhile, MPA Chief Executive Lam Yi Young said, “The enhancements to the Maritime Cluster Fund’s Manpower Schemes are part of MPA’s efforts to develop a sustainable pool of skilled talent for the maritime industry.
“Through the exemption of the Maritime Welfare Fees, we hope that we can help reduce the operating costs of vessels calling at our port. These initiatives are part of our long-term commitment to provide a conducive environment for maritime companies in Singapore,” he added. — Bernama