SMOU has always enjoyed a close working relationship with our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) companies. To alleviate the strain of the pandemic on companies, SMOU contributed S$150,000 and introduced the additional COVID-19 Relief Voucher* in January 2021 to help defray companies’ crew change accommodation cost in Singapore, specially for our CBA vessels. In addition, CBA companies with crew change accommodation expenses within the period of 1 September 2020 to 31 March 2021 may submit their application for reimbursement to sas@wavelink.com.sg.  

More details of the COVID-19 Relief Vouchers as follows:

• Each COVID-19 Relief Voucher is worth S$50.00;
• All CBA companies will be given 2 COVID-19 Relief Vouchers per CBA vessel;
• As per current crew change procedures, CBA companies arrange directly with Seacare Hotel/any MPA approved accommodation and seek MPA’s approval for their required crew change;
• CBA companies pay for crew accommodation first and then seek reimbursement by emailing the payment invoice and MPA’s approval document for crew change to the Administrator (sas@wavelink.com.sg);
• COVID-19 Relief claim is valid for crew change accommodation expenses paid during this COVID-19 period from 1^st September 2020 to 31^st March 2021; and
• Company may claim for this COVID-19 Relief reimbursement up to the total amount of COVID-19 Relief Vouchers indicated above.

*Do note that these COVID-19 Relief Vouchers are different from the normal Seafarers Accommodation Scheme (SAS) vouchers.

For any clarifications on the COVID -19 Relief reimbursement, contact the SAS Administration at sas@wavelink.com.sg.