Singapore to launch EASE grant for electric harbour craft in 2027
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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced it will launch the Early Adoption Scheme for Electric Harbour Craft (EASE) starting January 1, 2027, aiming to accelerate the adoption of electric harbour craft (e-HC) and support the development of a competitive ecosystem for the sector.
Towards net-zero emissions by 2050
Singapore's harbour craft fleet comprises more than 1,600 vessels, mostly diesel-powered, providing essential services such as passenger transport, towage, bunkering and maintenance. In line with national climate targets, the sector must achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and since these vessels typically operate for more than 20 years, MPA stressed that fleet renewal decisions in the coming years will be critical. From 2030, every new harbour craft operating in Singapore will need to be fully electric, B100 biofuel-ready, or compatible with net-zero fuels.
Scope of the grant
The EASE scheme will run for two years and aims to stimulate early demand, giving manufacturers and technology suppliers greater confidence to invest in production and expand capacity. The grant will cover part of the cost of the vessel's battery system, with the amount calculated based on battery capacity and capped according to vessel size. Port of Singapore and Hellenic Shipping News noted that this cap reaches a maximum of $250,000 per vessel, while Baird Maritime put the figure at SG$250,000, equivalent to US$200,000 per vessel.
Expansion of charging infrastructure
In parallel, MPA will progressively expand charging infrastructure as e-HC adoption advances. Building on the first pilot charger installed at Marina South Pier in 2024, a second charger will be deployed at the same location in the coming months, along with four additional chargers at Loyang Offshore Supply Base. During 2027, more public chargers will be added along Singapore's southern coastline, including at Jurong Port and West Coast Pier, while studies are conducted at key terminals to plan the electrical capacity upgrades needed to scale up charger deployment.
Other measures under consideration
The authority is also evaluating flexible charging solutions, including battery-based charging concepts and mobile systems, to strengthen the operational resilience of electric vessels as the market matures, and will look into further regulatory measures to drive the sector's shift away from fossil fuels. Baird Maritime added that MPA, together with Enterprise Singapore, had already introduced in March 2025 a technical reference for charging and battery-swapping systems, after selecting eleven reference designs for passenger launches and electric cargo lighters a year earlier.
