Maritime Withholding Tax Exemption at a glance
Agency
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
Programme
Maritime Withholding Tax Exemption
Support type
Tax Incentive
Current status
Open
Funding
Withholding-tax exemption on qualifying interest and related payments. Qualifying entities do not need case-by-case exemption approval for eligible arrangements.
Cap / maximum support
No fixed public monetary cap.
What does the scheme support?
Financing arrangements for the purchase or construction of vessels and qualifying purchases of containers or intermodal equipment.
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?
Qualifying MSI and ASFA entities specified by MPA, including eligible shipping enterprises, ship-leasing entities and container-leasing entities.
How much support is available?
Withholding-tax exemption on qualifying interest and related payments. Qualifying entities do not need case-by-case exemption approval for eligible arrangements.
No fixed public monetary cap.
What costs can qualify?
Qualifying interest and related payments on eligible financing arrangements; this is a tax exemption rather than reimbursement of project cost.
Key conditions
Qualifying financing arrangements must be entered into on or before 31 December 2031. The entity must submit the required self-declaration for each financing arrangement through One Maritime Portal within the prescribed process.
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?
The route operates through the required self-declaration rather than a conventional grant application.
Is this scheme relevant to your project?
A strong fit is: A qualifying shipping or leasing entity entering eligible financing for vessels, containers or intermodal equipment within the current statutory/programme period.
A weak fit is: A non-qualifying entity or financing arrangement that falls outside MPA's specified asset and entity classes.
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. Qualifying entities do not need case-by-case exemption approval for eligible arrangements. No fixed public monetary cap.
What is the most important eligibility point?
Qualifying MSI and ASFA entities specified by MPA, including eligible shipping enterprises, ship-leasing entities and container-leasing entities.
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