Holders of SFA fishing vessel licences, fishing gear licences and registrations for personnel are responsible for renewing, updating and cancelling their licences/registrations.
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Holders of fishing vessel licences from SFA are required to renew their licence yearly before the licence expiry date if they wish to continue with the business.
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Last Updated 27 Apr 2026
The holder of the licence.
The annual licence fee varies depending on the Gross Tonnage of the fishing vessel. The breakdown is as follows:
| Vessels by Gross Tonnage | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|
| Fishing Vessel Licence Inboard Engine less than 50GRT | $175 |
| Fishing Vessel Licence Inboard Engine more than 50GRT but less than 100GRT | $242 |
| Fishing Vessel Licence Inboard Engine more than 100GRT | $470 |
Step 1: Pay the renewal fees before your licence expires
Step 2: Submit the Declaration Form
You must renew your licence before it expires. If your licence is expired, you must cease operations immediately. Operating a fishing vessel or plying at any port in Singapore without a valid licence issued by SFA is an offence under prevailing laws.
SFA will send you a copy via email.
You do not need to renew your fishing gear licence if there is no change to the fishing gear deployed on the licensed fishing vessel.
If you have a new gear on your fishing vessel, you should submit a new application for a fishing gear licence instead of updating your fishing vessel licence.
All registrations of personnel (e.g. fishermen or crew) employed or engaged in any activity on a fishing vessel prefixed with the letters “SMF” must be renewed yearly before the expiry date.
For vessels prefixed with “SF”, you do not need to renew your registration. Registrations are one-time for vessels prefixed with “SF”.
The holder of the fishing vessel licence can renew the registration.
To renew your registration, fill in and submit the Registration of a Person Employed or Engaged under Fisheries Act form for existing personnel.
It costs $14 to renew the registration.
Once your application is approved, SFA will send you an invoice via email. The payment methods are stated on the invoice.
You can make payment via:
GIRO
AXS
SFA will process your registration and notify you via email when it has been renewed.
SFA will send you a copy via email.
All fishing vessel licence holders are required to keep their licences updated.
When you have new fishing gear on your fishing vessel, you should submit a new application for fishing gear instead of updating your fishing vessel licence.
The holder of the fishing vessel licence
You should request to update your licence immediately when there are changes in your contact details (e.g. mailing address, email and contact number).
If you want to make changes to your vessel (e.g. engine or hull), or personnel (e.g. change in number of crew and crew details), you must first seek approval from SFA.
An inspect is required when there are changes to your vessel's details.
To seek approval from SFA, fill in the SFA Online Feedback Form.
Licensees must update SFA of changes. Failure to do so can result in enforcement actions. Remedial or corrective actions may also be imposed.
There is no fee payable to update your licence.
To update SFA, fill in the SFA Online Feedback Form.
SFA will review the details of the request and contact you if additional information is required, or to arrange an onsite inspection for our assessment.
SFA will email you a copy.
If there are changes to your fishing gear, you should submit a fresh application.
For steps on how to submit a fresh application, see Application Process & Fees for Licence / Registration of Fishing Vessel, Fishing Gear, Persons Engaged or Employed on Fishing Vessel, Entry Permit and Port Clearance / Report of Arrival at SFA Fishery Ports.
All fishing vessel licence holders are required to keep their registrations updated.
The holder of the fishing vessel licence.
You should inform SFA immediately when there are changes to the registered personnel (e.g. changes in the number of crew or crew details).
Licensees must update SFA of changes. Failure to do so can result in enforcement actions. Remedial or corrective actions may also be imposed.
There is no fee payable to update your registration.
To update SFA, fill in the SFA Online Feedback Form.
SFA will review the details of the request and contact you if additional information is required, or to arrange an onsite inspection for our assessment.
You should request to cancel your licences/registrations if you have stopped operating your fishing vessels.
Do not allow your licence to expire, as you will remain responsible for all the activities on your fishing vessel until the licence is officially cancelled.
The holder of the licences/registrations.
Licences/Registrations cannot be transferred. If you have sold your business, you must cancel your licences and registrations. The new owner must submit a fresh application.
There is no fee payable to cancel your licences/registrations.
To request to cancel your licence/registration, contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.
SFA will process your request to terminate your licences/registrations and notify you via email of the termination.
Upon cancellation of your licence, you must cease operations immediately. Operating a fishing vessel or plying at any port in Singapore without a valid licence issued by the SFA is an offence under prevailing laws.
For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.
Related Pages
Application Process & Fees for Licence / Registration of Fishing Vessel, Fishing Gear, Persons Engaged or Employed on Fishing Vessel, Entry Permit and Port Clearance/Report of Arrival at SFA Fishery PortsApplication For New Fishing Gear Used On Sfa Licensed Fishing VesselDeclaration On Fishing Gear Used On Sfa Licensed Fishing VesselRegistration Of A Person Employed Or Engaged Under Fisheries Act
