Manager / Senior Manager (Marine Licensing & Permits)

maritime and port authority of singapore (mpa); Singapore; On-site; SGD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is recruiting for a policy and licensing professional in the Marine Licensing & Permits Department. You will issue licenses/permits for harbour and pleasure craft and contribute to safety standards and regulatory compliance.

You will shape licensing policies, support the decarbonisation agenda, and engage industry stakeholders to drive transformation in the harbour craft sector, including digitalising processes.

Responsibilities

• Licensing harbour craft and pleasure craft to meet safety, manning and regulatory requirements.
• Shape forward-looking licensing policies to modernise the harbour craft fleet and support decarbonisation.
• Manage sea space allocation for mooring buoys and develop policy for safe usage.
• Oversee port clearance processes and digitise customer-facing licensing applications and submissions.
• Support 24/7 port clearance operations to ensure timely service delivery to port users.
• Administer manpower quota policies for sustainable harbour craft development.
• Engage industry stakeholders to understand challenges and promote adoption of new technologies.

Job description

Singapore is a global hub port and a leading maritime centre. To ensure that ships calling at our port do so safely, they are required to comply with port entry requirements. The ocean-going ships also require services such as fuel (bunker), towing and crew change. These are provided by harbour craft operating in our port. The Marine Licensing & Permits administers port entry requirements, and also licenses harbour craft operating in the Port of Singapore. To support our national decarbonisation goals, MPA has already set goals to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of our local harbour craft, which will entail a full change in the mode of operations of our companies.

Reporting to the Marine Licensing and Permits Department, which is part of the Marine Services Division, you will part of a dynamic team that is issuing licenses/permits to ensure vessels operating in Singapore meet the necessary safety standards, certifications, ethical guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

You will also be involved in formulating policies to promote the harbour craft sector, creating a pipeline of seafarers to meet the industry needs and prepare for the decarbonisation milestones of the maritime industry.

Your Key Responsibilities Include

• Licensing
• Oversee the licensing of harbour craft and pleasure craft, ensuring that vessels meet safety, manning and regulatory requirements.
• Shape forward-looking licensing policies to modernise the harbour craft fleet and support Singapore’s maritime decarbonisation journey.
• Manage sea space allocation for mooring buoys and develop policies to support their safe and efficient use.
• Port clearance processes
• Drive projects to digitalise and simplify customer-facing processes, including licensing applications, enquiries and document submissions.
• Oversee and support 24/7 port clearance operations to ensure efficient service delivery and timely support to port users.
• Administer and enforce port clearance requirements to maintain safe, secure and well-regulated vessel movements.
• Industry Development & Transformation
• Administer and enforce manpower quota policies that support the sustainable development of the harbour craft sector.
• Review and develop manpower policies and training initiatives to attract, upskill and retain seafarers.
• Use harbour craft industry data to identify trends, risks and opportunities that can inform policy and operational improvements.
• Engage industry stakeholders to understand operational challenges, build support for transformation efforts and encourage the adoption of new technologies.

We are looking for people who are keen to make a meaningful contribution to Singapore’s maritime sector. You may have experience in customer-facing service delivery, process improvement, regulatory work, licensing policy, manpower development or the maritime sector. More importantly, you should be proactive, adaptable and motivated to learn, lead change and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced operating environment.

You should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage diverse stakeholders both in writing and in person. You should also be comfortable working with data and using insights to support policies, strategies and operational decisions. This role offers exposure to regulatory operations, policy development, digitalisation and industry engagement, and may require occasional duties outside regular office hours.