Installation of Electric-charging Stations for Use by Harbour Launches and Harbour Craft
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the plans for expanding electric-charging infrastructure for harbour craft and the assistance available for owners to transition to net-zero fuel solutions. Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about future charging station locations and financial assistance for vessel electrification or conversion to biofuels for SME owners. Minister for Transport S Iswaran responded that charging infrastructure will be progressively rolled out from 2025, with locations being identified through research partnerships. He also highlighted that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore provides a five-year port dues waiver for new electric or low-carbon vessels. These initiatives support targets for all new harbour craft to be net-zero by 2030 and for the entire sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Transcript
44 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether an elaboration can be provided on plans to install electric charging stations in different parts of Singapore for use by harbour launches and other harbour crafts beyond the first charging station at Pulau Bukom, including the possible locations and projected commencement dates for such other facilities, so as to facilitate conversion plans for harbour craft owners; and (b) what assistance is available to assist Singaporeans or SME owners of harbour launches and other harbour crafts to convert to full electrification, biodiesel or net-zero fuels in line with the MPA's net-zero goals for such vessels.
Mr S Iswaran: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) plans to progressively roll out the charging infrastructure for electric harbour craft operations in the Port of Singapore from 2025. This is in line with our target for all new harbour craft to use net-zero solutions from 2030 and for the harbour craft sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
MPA is partnering A*STAR and research institutes, such as the Singapore Maritime Institute, to determine the power requirements for electric harbour craft and identify suitable charging locations. Beyond electrification, MPA will continue to support research and pilots in alternative net-zero fuels for the harbour craft sector.
For new harbour craft that run on low or zero-carbon fuels or are fully electric, MPA provides a waiver of port dues for a period of five years from the licence commencement date.