Singapore offers 10% discount for short vessel stays

Singapore offers 10% discount for short vessel stays The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is giving carriers whose vessels spend less than 10 days in the port a 10 percent concession on dues to help during the economic downturn.
   MPA is also offering a 20 percent concession for harbor craft engaged in commercial activities within Port of Singapore waters.
   'The 10 percent concession in port dues to oceangoing vessels will be extended over and above existing port dues concessions already enjoyed by the industry, such as the 20 percent port dues concession for containerships and 20 percent port dues rebate scheme for vehicle carrier operators,' the authority said Friday. 'This concession will broaden the spectrum of vessels like bulk carriers, tankers and other types of oceangoing vessels benefiting from the financial relief.'
   The 20 percent harbor craft concession is aimed mostly at domestic service providers like bunker suppliers, tug and ferry operators, the authority said.
   “The new concessions aim to help port users lower their business costs,' said Capt. M. Segar, group director of MPA. 'MPA will continue to monitor the situation, as well as consult and work closely with industry partners through these challenging times.”
   At the start of 2009, MPA also deferred an increase in annual port dues for bunker tankers 16 years old and above, a move designed to helping the bunker industry 'adjust to the changing business climate.'