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.
Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.