Multiple Pathways for Harbour Craft Sector’s Net Zero Transition by 2050
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29 Oct 2026A six-month Harbour Craft Decarbonisation Taskforce co-convened by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) outlined recommendations to guide the harbour craft sector’s transformation while maintaining commercial sustainability
On 14 October 2026, the MPA announced the Early Adopter Scheme for Electric Harbour Craft (EASE) grant, aimed at encouraging the adoption of electric harbour craft vessels in the Port of Singapore. The grant will help defray upfront costs of newbuild electric vessels based on the battery capacity, with the grant amount capped according to the vessels size. This is expected to spur industry demand while supporting the commercial viability of electric vessel operations.
“This grant is welcomed by our members in the harbour craft sector. It will provide the required support to encourage early adoption of electric harbour craft vessels, and beyond the first wave of early adopters, will allow for adoption to grow in scale and be commercially sustainable.”
Mr Lee Kenglin, SSA councillor, Chair of the Decarbonisation committee and co-chair of the Harbour Craft Decarbonisation Taskforce
This government grant comes as the conclusion of the Harbour Craft Decarbonisation Taskforce, a joint public-private effort driven by both MPA and SSA, in April 2026. Mr Lee Keng Lin, councillor and Chair of the Decarbonisation committee, was co-chair of the Taskforce. Established in October 2025, the Taskforce brought together industry stakeholders to chart a practical pathway for Singapore’s harbour craft sector to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Its findings were published in the report “Navigating the Net Zero Transition for Singapore Harbour Craft”.
A key finding of the report, consistent with the shipping industry’s views, is that there is no single solution for decarbonising Singapore’s diverse harbour craft fleet. Instead, the Taskforce identified multiple pathways – including biofuels, electrification and net zero fuels – reflecting the varied operating profiles and requirements of different vessel types.
The report’s recommendations are organised around four strategic thrusts: developing an electrification ecosystem, enabling industry transformation, introducing a progressive regulatory shift over the next 15 to 20 years, and harnessing digitalisation to support decarbonisation. Notably, the EASE grant directly supports one of the Taskforce’s recommendations to de-risk early movers and build confidence in vessel electrification.
The Taskforce also recommended a progressive approach to regulation, including exploring market-based measures that would encourage the shift towards cleaner fuels. Providing early visibility of the regulatory direction would give harbour craft operators greater certainty to plan fleet renewal and other long-term investments.
Beyond electrification incentives, the report highlights the need for supporting charging infrastructure, workforce capabilities, fuel-transition planning and clearer regulatory signals to help businesses make long-term investment decisions. An accompanying action plan sets out concrete steps and assigns responsibilities across industry, government and collaborative platforms to drive implementation.
The Harbour Craft Decarbonisation Taskforce was co-chaired by SSA and MPA, with support from the Singapore Clifford Pier Motor Boat Association and the Singapore Association of Shipsuppliers and Services. Industry representatives from across the harbour craft ecosystem contributed to the report and its recommendations.
We would like to thank our SSA members who were a part of the taskforce, for their contributions towards the report:
Mr Albert Tsui, Head (Strategic & Corporate Development), Kuok Maritime Group
Ms Diana Mok, Managing Director, Fratelli Cosulich Bunkers
Mr Bernard Wong, Head of Fleet Management, PSA Marine
Mr George Philip, General Manager (Group Commercial & Fleet), Penguin International Limited
Mr Go Shishikura, Managing Director, Oxalis Shipping
