Singapore's Latest Crew Facilitation Centre (CFC): The Whats, The Whys, The Hows

In brief:

  • The Crew Facilitation Centre (CFC) is located at the Tanjong Pagar Terminal; it utilises an existing floating accommodation to house sign-on crew for up to 48 hours before seafarers board up their next mode of transport.
  • The Centre aims to facilitate more crew change to take place in Singapore, and keep both the maritime and local community safe from COVID-19 with enhanced medical testing and segregation facilities on-site to protect seafarers and their shipping companies.
  • The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) spearheads this initiative with the help from PSA Singapore and other local maritime unions like Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS).

Visit e-Samudra or Issue 3 (20/21) for more stories.


SOS Samudra: Crew Facilitation Centre (CFC)

The exterior of CFC | Credit: MPA

SOS Samudra: Crew Facilitation Centre (CFC)

Walking the grounds | Credit: MPA


To further secure safe port operations and facilitate crew change, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) with the support of PSA Singapore has set up a new Crew Facilitation Centre (CFC), a self-contained facility with onsite medical testing and holding facilities.

Starting from 1 September 2020, the Centre at the Tanjong Pagar Terminal uses an existing floating accommodation to house sign-on crew for up to 48 hours prior to them boarding their ships, if required, when their ship and flight schedule do not match. The CFC will facilitate more crew change to take place in Singapore and keep both the ships and local community safe.

SOS Samudra: Crew Facilitation Centre (CFC)

Minister and union leaders in a briefing | Credit: MPA

Sign-off crew will proceed to depart Singapore or stay at existing designated holding facilities such as The Seacare Hotel for up to 48 hours—strictly segregated from the community. Also in place are enhanced precautionary measures for ships that call at local waters and streamlined crew change processes. These would further safeguard seafarers during crew change.

Singapore has sent a strong message to the world that we recognise seafarers as essential workers and we appreciate the crucial role seafarers play in the global economy.

Mr Kam Soon Huat, President of SOS, applauded MPA’s move, “SOS is heartened that MPA has taken the move forward to ensure safe and timely repatriation of seafarers and getting fresh crew on board. The streamlined crew change procedures and dedicated facility for sign-on crews are practical solutions to keep the supply chain open and to protect the rights of seafarers. Singapore has sent a strong message to the world that we recognise seafarers as essential workers and we appreciate the crucial role seafarers play in the global economy.”

Mr Michael Phoon, Executive Director of Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and Chair of Singapore Crew Change Workgroup, extended the praise, “SSA welcomes the set-up and dedication of the CFC for sign-on crew in the port of Singapore. As the chair of the Singapore Crew Change Workgroup, the segregation of holding facilities to manage the different sets of sign-on/sign-off crew is another step forward to help mitigate the current critical crew change issue. We foresee that the CFC, along with other added measures, can boost the confidence and assurance for the shipping community to carry out safe crew change in Singapore.”