The Seafarers Relief Package (SRP) is part of MPA’s MaritimeSG Together Package to provide further financial support to the maritime industry in the wake of the global COVID-19 outbreak. To understand the Seafarers Relief Package better, we list some FAQs as follows:

Application Process

Q: When is the start and end date for the application of the Seafarers Relief Package?

A: The Seafarers Relief Package started on 1 May 2020 and ends on 31 July 2020. Application should be submitted after 30 May 2020, and latest by 31 Oct 2020.

Q: What are the documents required to be submitted for the application?

The following documents are required:

i) A copy of your NRIC;
ii) A copy of your SMOU member card (if applicable); and
iii) Either a) A letter from your employer confirming the period between 1 May to 31 July 2020 when you were on standby on shore, due to the COVID-19 situation (see here for template); or b) A copy of your pay slip for the period between 1 May to 31 July 2020, when you were on standby on shore.

Q: Why are applicants advised to submit the application after 30 May 2020? Can they submit the application in advance?

A: Applicants are advised to submit application after the period of declared unemployment, i.e. after 30 May 2020, as applicants must demonstrate that they were unable to secure shipboard employment for 30 days or more during 1 May to 31 July 2020.

Q: If I am informed by my company that they do not have any shipboard placement for me from 1 May to 31 July 2020, can I apply for 3 months (May to July) of funding?

A: For the above scenarios, the seafarer must first demonstrate that they are unable to get shipboard employment for the last 90 days in order to apply for 3 months’ payout. Please submit either at the end of every month, or one-time after 31 July 2020.

Q: How are the grants being disbursed to the applicants?

A: The funds will be remitted into your bank account indicated on the application form, upon successful processing of your application.

Q: How long does it takes for the funding to be credited into my account after submitting my application for the Seafarers Relief Package?

A: It will take around one month after the submission of application and upon the receipt of all required documents.

Eligibility Criteria

Q: If I have claimed the COVID-19 Support Grant from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), am I still eligible for the $300 funding per month as an SMOU member?

A: If you have received the COVID-19 Support Grant from MSF, you will not be eligible to receive any funding under the Seafarers Relief Package.

Q: If I have claimed the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Grant from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), am I still eligible for the $300 funding per month as an SMOU member?

A: If you have received the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Grant from the MOM, you will not be eligible to receive any funding under the Seafarers Relief Package.

Q: I am a successful applicant of the Temporary Relief Fund (TRF), can I still apply for the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP)?

A: Yes, you can apply for the SRP as the TRF is for applicants unemployed from 23 January to 31 April 2020. For SRP, the eligible unemployment period is from 1 May to 31 July 2020.

Q: Can seafarers apply for both SMOU membership and Seafarers Relief Package at the same time?

A: Yes, applicants can apply for the SMOU membership at the same time. Once the membership is approved, the member will be eligible for the SMOU funding.

Q: If I am not eligible for both the COVID-19 Support Grant and MPA portion for the Seafarers Relief Package, am I still eligible for the $300 funding per month as a SMOU member?

A: The $300 funding from SMOU is an additional funding only for successful applicants of the Seafarers Relief Package as an SMOU member. The conditions of eligibility for MPA’s funding share and SMOU’s funding share are the same.

Q: If I am currently unemployed by any shipping employer/still looking for company placement, am I eligible for the funding?

A: Applicants may wish to seek assistance from the Government’s COVID-19 Support Grant at go.gov.sg/CSG.

Q: I am a cadet from the place-and-train programme who has just graduated and not been able to secure onboard employment on a ship. I have already submitted my readiness to the company, before May 2020. Am I eligible to apply for the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP)?

A: The SRP is able to support TNTA/TETA cadets who are affected by travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are a first time COC holder or fresh graduate from the TNTA / TETA program and have not been able to sail from 1 Nov 2019 onwards, please write in to mcf@mpa.gov.sg for assistance.

Q: Does the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP) apply to Officers who are waiting/taking Certificate of Competency (CoC) examination?

A: The SRP is meant to help seafarers who are unable to secure shipboard employment between 1 May to 31 July 2020. Officers who are waiting/taking CoC examinations will have to submit their notice of readiness and unsuccessful attempts to secure shipboard employment. Candidates in the process of clearing their examinations may wish to consider concurrently seeking employment while waiting for their examinations to be cleared. Documentary proof from the company stating non-availability of shipboard positions for the period of employment that the seafarer applied for with the company can be considered to support the application.

Others

Q: Other than the Seafarers Relief Package, are there other grants available for Seafarers?

A: If you are a NTUC/SMOU member, you may wish to find out more about the SMOU/NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) Assistance Package on the SMOU website here.

Q: Am I still entitled to the SMOU/NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) Assistance Package if I apply for COVID-19 Support Grant or Seafarers Relief Package?

A: Yes, you can apply for the SMOU/NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) Assistance Package concurrently.

Q: Who should I contact if I have further enquiries about the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP)?

A: Please contact mcf@mpa.gov.sg if you have any further enquiries on the SRP. For enquiries on SMOU membership, please contact membership@smou.org.sg.