The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will introduce the Early Adoption Support Scheme for Electric Vessels (EASE) on January 1, 2027, to accelerate the adoption of electric vessels (e-HC). This grant is designed to stimulate initial market demand and support the development of a competitive ecosystem for electric vessels.
Transition to Net Zero by 2050
The port vessel sector in Singapore comprises over 1,600 vessels, primarily diesel-powered, providing essential marine services, including passenger transport, towing, refueling, and maintenance operations. In line with Singapore's national climate goals, this sector is expected to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Given that port vessels typically serve for more than 20 years, decisions regarding fleet renewal in the coming years will be crucial for achieving this sector's transition to net zero.
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Details of the EASE Scheme and Charging Infrastructure
The EASE scheme will be valid for two years, aiming to stimulate initial demand and provide manufacturers and technology providers with greater confidence to invest in production and capacity expansion. With increased production volume and technology maturity, the costs of electric vessels are expected to decrease, improving their commercial viability.
Under this scheme, eligible electric vessel owners will receive a portion of the cost of the vessel's battery system. The grant amount will be determined based on battery capacity and vessel size, up to a maximum of $250,000 per vessel.
To support the deployment and operation of electric vessels, MPA will gradually expand charging infrastructure in parallel with industrial adoption. The first trial charger will be established at Marina South Pier in 2024, with a second charger to be launched in the coming months, as well as four additional chargers at Loyang Offshore Supply Base.
By 2027, more public chargers will be installed along Singapore's southern shores, including Jurong Port and West Coast Pier. In parallel with these efforts, studies will be conducted at key terminals to plan necessary updates to electrical capacity.
Research for Carbon Reduction in the Vessel Sector
MPA is exploring flexible charging solutions, including battery-based charging concepts and mobile charging, to enhance the operational resilience of electric vessels as the market matures. MPA will also consider other necessary regulatory measures to transition the vessel sector away from fossil fuels.
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