The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will revise its port dues rates to fund the increased costs of operating and maintaining the Port of Singapore.

In a statement, MPA said the revision of port dues rates is also meant to encourage vessels to make faster turnarounds in the port to allow more ships to be served within the limited anchorage space in our port.

MPA noted that port dues fund the maintenance of Singapore's fairways, anchorages and aids to navigation, which is vital to the navigational safety of port users.

It also funds the vessel traffic management system, and other systems used for the management of Singapore’s port waters.

MPA noted that these costs have increased since port dues rates were last revised in 2014.

"Following consultations with industry partners including the Singapore Shipping Association and the Association of Singapore Marine Industries, the port dues rates will be adjusted over two phases to give companies time to adjust to the new rates," MPA said in its statement.

It noted that (a) Phase 1 will take effect from 1 January 2022.

"Under Phase 1, vessels calling at the Port of Singapore to load/unload cargo or to embark/disembark passengers with port stays between two and four days will experience an increase in port dues of up to around 6%," it added, noting that "all vessels that stay in port for one day or less will not see any increase in port dues."

MPA said this will encourage quicker turnarounds so that the Port of Singapore can serve more ships.

Meanwhile, (b) Phase 2 will take effect from 1 January 2023.

"Under Phase 2, the port dues rates for vessels that stay in port for one day or less for purposes including loading/unloading of cargoes, embarking/disembarking passengers, taking bunker or supplies and changing of the crew will also increase," MPA said.