Singapore Update for Foreign Flagged Yachts
Southeast Asia offers new cruising grounds for many yachts and like a reigning sultan, Singapore sits smack in the middle of these excellent cruising grounds that are both vast and diverse. Singapore is only 1 degree north of the equator and there doesn’t experience severe weather. This means it’s a convenient and safe base for year-round regional cruising and providing endless activities for owner and guests.
After a sustained period of low community infection levels, Singapore continues to welcome yachts and on 6 May, 2021, the Port Authority (MPA) introduced new requirements for visiting yachts: Which are:
- Use of an agent for entry into Singapore is mandatory for all vessels.
- Prior to departing last port for Singapore all crew must have PCR tests, not more than 72H before departure.
- Before arriving in Singapore, negative PCR test results for all crew must be submitted to MPA and arrangements must be made for a healthcare institution (HCI) to carry out offsite PCR test for all crew upon the arrival of the yacht in the marina. This can be done via your agent.
Yachts are required to enter a marina immediately upon arrival in Singapore. Should this not be possible (due to lack of space/availability) the MPA will approve yachts to anchor on a case-by-case basis.
CIQP operations will be available at:
One°15 Marina – by the end of Jun 2021
Raffles Marina – by the end of July 2021
One°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, has recently completed its S$7 million (about US$5.2 million) marina reconfiguration project. All new and relocated superyacht berths are now stern-to in front of the clubhouse, providing a spectacular view for members, guests and visitors.
While keeping the total number of berths at 272, the new layout increases the berths for 80ft-plus superyachts from 15 to 33 and increases the overall linear footage of yachts moored within the marina.
Furthermore, the marina has a new channel with a minimum depth of 4.5m and can accommodate yachts up to 220ft (67m), while other changes include the relocation of Boaters’ Bar, Singapore’s only floating marina bar. In June 2019 it became Singapore’s first private marina to have a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facility which has been especially helpful during the pandemic.
“Singapore offers a high quality of infrastructure for visiting yachts and local, European and American Investment for this kind (yachting) of leisure is growing. Administrative and vessel needs along with duty-free fresh provisions and supplies can be swiftly dealt with to prepare for a journey”, explains Captain Scott Walker, Asia Pacific Superyachts co-founder. Cruising suggestions once a vessel is in Singapore includes a voyage to the exotic ports of Bintan and Riau Islands of Indonesia, the nearby mystical island of Langkawi, Malaysia and SE Asia superyacht hub, Phuket, Thailand.
www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com