Approved Shipping Financing Arrangement (ASFA) at a glance
Agency
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
Programme
Approved Shipping Financing Arrangement
Support type
Tax Incentive
Current status
Open
Funding
Withholding-tax exemption on qualifying interest and related payments under approved financing arrangements.
Cap / maximum support
No fixed public monetary cap.
What does the scheme support?
ASFA-Ship covers qualifying financing used to purchase or construct vessels. ASFA-Container covers qualifying financing used to purchase sea containers.
This profile should be read as a funding and eligibility guide rather than a substitute for the agency's final assessment. The approved scope, support level and claim treatment remain subject to the governing programme terms and the applicant's specific project.
Who can apply?
ASFA-Ship is for ship owners, operators or lessors with a good track record and credible Singapore shipping business plan. ASFA-Container is for sea-container lessors with a comparable Singapore business plan and economic contribution.
How much support is available?
Withholding-tax exemption on qualifying interest and related payments under approved financing arrangements.
No fixed public monetary cap.
What costs can qualify?
Qualifying interest and related payments on approved ship or container financing arrangements.
Key conditions
The qualifying financing arrangement must be entered into on or before 31 December 2031 and satisfy the relevant ASFA award conditions. Award applicants are expected to demonstrate substantive Singapore economic contribution and decision-making.
For any project where timing matters, applicants should avoid making irreversible commitments before confirming the programme's pre-start requirements. Where the scheme is discretionary or delivered through an appointed partner, the agency or programme partner retains the final decision on eligibility and quantum.
How and when should you apply?
Applicants contact MPA for application information and award assessment.
Is this scheme relevant to your project?
A strong fit is: A shipping or container-leasing business anchoring substantive financing and management activity in Singapore and entering qualifying financing arrangements before the deadline.
A weak fit is: A financing transaction without the required Singapore business substance or outside the qualifying asset and award conditions.
How Reeve | R&D supports the scheme
Reeve | R&D can manage the incentive workstream from initial eligibility assessment through project structuring, funding modelling, application preparation, evidence planning, agency interaction and post-award coordination, while the company or eligible applicant remains the formal applicant where required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current status?
The current verified status is Open as of 7 October 2026. Where the programme is periodic or appointment-led, this does not necessarily mean that a general application window is continuously open.
How much support is available?
Withholding-tax exemption on qualifying interest and related payments under approved financing arrangements. No fixed public monetary cap.
What is the most important eligibility point?
ASFA-Ship is for ship owners, operators or lessors with a good track record and credible Singapore shipping business plan. ASFA-Container is for sea-container lessors with a comparable Singapore business plan and economic contribution.
What should be checked before committing to the project?
The applicant should confirm the live programme terms, pre-start rules, eligible cost categories and any partner, provider, appointment or milestone requirements before signing contracts or incurring supported costs.
Official programme sources
mpa.gov.sg (opens in a new tab)Last verified: 2026-10-07