SIBCON 2026: MPA grant to cover part of battery costs for electric harbour craft

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (14 October) said it will introduce the Early Adopter Scheme for Electric Harbour Craft (EASE) from 1 January 2027, to accelerate the adoption of electric harbour craft (e-HC). 

The grant aims to catalyse early market demand and support the development of a competitive e-HC ecosystem.

Singapore’s harbour craft sector comprises more than 1,600 predominantly diesel-powered vessels providing essential marine services, from passenger transport and towage to bunkering and maintenance operations. 

In line with Singapore’s national climate targets, the harbour craft sector is expected to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As harbour craft typically remain in service for more than 20 years, fleet renewal decisions over the coming years will be critical to achieving the sector’s net-zero transition. From 2030, all new harbour craft operating in Singapore must be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuel, or compatible with net-zero fuels.

Valid for two years, EASE aims to spur early demand, giving manufacturers and technology providers greater confidence to invest in production and expand capacity. As production volumes increase and technologies mature, the cost of e-HC is expected to decrease over time, improving their commercial viability and supporting an overall smoother and more cost-effective transition for the industry.

Under the grant, owners purchasing eligible e-HC will receive support for part of the vessel’s battery system cost. The grant quantum will be based on battery capacity and capped according to vessel size, up to a maximum of SGD 250,000 per vessel. 

To support the deployment and operation of e-HC, MPA will progressively expand the charging infrastructure in tandem with industry adoption. Building on the first pilot charger at Marina South Pier in 2024, a second charger will be rolled out in the coming months, as well as four additional chargers at Loyang Offshore Supply Base. 

More public chargers will be installed across Singapore’s southern coastline, including Jurong Port and West Coast Pier in 2027. In parallel, studies will be conducted at key terminals to plan for the necessary power capacity upgrades, to enable charger deployment to scale as demand grows. 

MPA is studying flexible charging solutions, including battery-based and mobile charging concepts, to enhance operational resilience of e-HC as the market matures.

In tandem, MPA will consider other regulatory measures needed to drive the harbour craft sector’s transition away from fossil fuels.

Note: Details of the grant are set out in Annex A. 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 October 2026