Singapore has around 5,000 harbour craft — tugs, barges, launches, bunker vessels, pilot boats, and small work vessels registered under the MPA Harbour Craft (HC) licensing regime. Each has specific comms requirements distinct from SOLAS ocean-going vessels. This guide covers what an MPA-licensed harbour craft actually needs on board, what the surveyors check for, and what it costs to be compliant.
Harbour Craft classes and where comms rules apply
MPA divides harbour craft into classes by size, purpose and area of operation:
- Class I harbour craft — commercial passenger, cargo, or work vessels operating within port limits
- Class II harbour craft — smaller commercial craft, typically under 24m LOA
- Bunker vessels — specific licensing with additional safety comms rules
- Pilot boats — MPA-operated or licensed pilotage craft
- Passenger launches — ferries to Sisters, Kusu, offshore islands
Each class has a slightly different comms checklist. What is common across all is: VHF DSC + AIS + working handheld VHF.
Minimum comms fit for any Singapore-licensed harbour craft
| Item | Requirement | Cost (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed VHF radio with DSC Class D minimum | Mandatory, tuned to correct MMSI | 350-700 |
| VHF fibreglass whip antenna (1.5m+) | Mounted at highest practical point | 150-350 |
| Portable VHF handheld | At least one, waterproof, battery good | 180-350 |
| AIS Class A or B SO | Class A for larger craft, B for smaller | 700-2,800 depending on class |
| GPS antenna and receiver | Fed to AIS and chart plotter | 150-500 |
| MPA VHF licence + MMSI | Annual fee, licence renewal | 50-100/year |
Total one-off for a new build: SGD 1,500-4,500 depending on class.
Bunker vessels — additional requirements
MPA-licensed bunker vessels need everything above plus:
- Dedicated VHF channel monitoring during bunker operations
- Portable VHF for the bunker foreman on deck
- Documented radio watch procedures
- Emergency shutdown communication protocol between bridge and bunker manifold
Bunker vessels are inspected more frequently than general harbour craft — comms failures during inspection can result in temporary licence suspension.
Passenger launches and ferries
Additional requirements for passenger-carrying craft:
- Redundant VHF (two independent radios) if carrying more than 12 passengers
- PA system for passenger announcements
- Emergency communication channel to shore control
- Life raft radio equipment appropriate for passenger capacity
Unsure whether your vessel will pass its next radio survey?
Tell us your vessel type and trading area. We will list what you need, what you already have, and what is missing.
Common survey failures
MPA harbour craft surveyors flag these repeatedly:
- Wrong MMSI programmed — usually the previous owner MMSI still in the radio
- AIS static data outdated — vessel name changed or dimensions wrong
- Portable VHF battery dead or wrong charger onboard
- Handheld VHF not waterproof — an older non-marine unit will fail inspection
- Antenna cable corroded at the mount point, causing intermittent transmission
- MPA VHF licence expired — annual renewal not done
Adding modern connectivity — LEO or 4G/5G for harbour craft
MPA does not require internet or satellite broadband on harbour craft. But many owners now add:
- 4G/5G router with SIM — for operational data, weather, fuel monitoring, telematics. SGD 800-1,500 hardware plus SGD 30-80/month airtime.
- Starlink Mini — for craft that operate beyond 4G coverage or need higher speeds. Overkill for pure harbour operation but useful for craft that run to Batam/Bintan.
Compliance package for a typical Singapore tug or launch
Envisiondata quotes for a Class I harbour craft compliance fit-out:
- Fixed VHF DSC + antenna + install: SGD 1,000-1,400
- Portable VHF (2 units): SGD 400-600
- Class B SO AIS with GPS: SGD 1,200-1,800
- MMSI programming and MPA paperwork: SGD 250
- Post-install MPA test call and survey prep: SGD 400
- Full compliance package: SGD 3,250-4,450
Related reading
- MPA Singapore radio compliance 2026
- AIS Class A vs Class B for Singapore vessels
- Satellite comms for SE Asia fishing vessels
Get a harbour craft compliance quote
Tell us the vessel class and current comms fit — we will build an MPA-ready package with hardware, install, and survey preparation. Sales at Envisiondata Pte Ltd — sales@envisiondatasg.com — or WhatsApp Steve directly on +65 9088 4899.
How we can help
Compliance mistakes usually surface at the worst time: during a survey, a port state inspection or a charterer audit. We help owners get the equipment, licences and paperwork right before that happens.
- Free equipment and licence check for your vessel
- Supply of GMDSS, VHF, EPIRB, SART and AIS equipment
- Installation, programming and survey preparation
- Help with IMDA and MPA application steps
What happens when you contact us
- Short call or meeting — we listen to how your vessels operate.
- Vessel and route review — we check equipment, space, power, contracts and licensing.
- Clear recommendation — a written proposal and SGD quote, with options.
- Install and support — commissioning, testing and ongoing support.
Related: GMDSS sea areas explained
Book a free compliance check
There is no obligation. If your current set-up is already the right one, we will tell you.
About the author
Steve leads Envisiondata Pte Ltd in Singapore. He has more than 20 years in cables, telecom infrastructure and satellite communications across ASEAN. He designs and supports connectivity for tugs, OSVs, harbour craft and commercial fleets across the region.
Written by Steve
Steve has over 20 years of experience in cables, telecom infrastructure and satellite communications across ASEAN. He founded Envision Data to help Singapore and SE Asia vessel operators choose and run the right maritime connectivity, from Starlink and OneWeb to Iridium, Inmarsat and GMDSS.
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