Singapore Registry of Ships marks 60 years with digital upgrade plans

The Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) is marking its 60th anniversary with plans to modernize its operations to support the maritime industry’s digital and green transitions. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced it will launch a new digital ship registration system in the first half of 2027. This new system will integrate the entire process from application to certificate issuance and will utilize artificial intelligence to vet and process applications. This upgrade is expected to reduce processing times for standard applications from up to three working days to just a few minutes.

As of late 2025, the SRS has grown to over 4,400 vessels, reaching a record 137 million gross tonnage. This makes Singapore the world’s fourth-largest ship registry. The fleet also maintains an average age of approximately 11 years, the youngest among the world’s top ten registries.

In response to the energy transition, the registry is seeing an increase in alternative fuel vessels, including methanol-fueled ships and the expected flagging of an ammonia dual-fuel vessel. Additionally, 74 vessels qualified for the MPA’s Green Ship Programme this year for exceeding environmental regulatory requirements.