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 costs in Singapore, especially for our CBA vessels. In addition, CBA companies with expenses for crew change accommodation 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 are 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

— The company may claim 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.