The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will soon take over the regulation
of cruise terminal operators from the Maritime and Port Authority of
Singapore (MPA).
The change in regulators, which was announced by Minister of State
for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan during the Second Reading of the
Singapore Tourism Board (Amendment) Bill in Parliament earlier this
week, was made to empower STB to ensure high service standards and
ensure optimal use of limited number of berths at the Singapore Cruise
Centre and Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore.
Tan said the move will provide STB with the regulatory powers to
align with Singapore's long-term vision of developing its cruise sector
and staying a leading cruise hub in the region.
"As the cruise industry champion, STB is attuned to the industry
trends," Tan explained in a LinkedIn post. "This Bill will enable STB to
drive the development and regulation of our tourism sector more
effectively, and make Singapore an attractive destination for all
visitors."
With the amended law, STB will be able regulate berthing allocation,
determine price charged by and monitor the service standards of the
terminal operators, he explained.
STB will be able to conduct surveys and obtain financial and
operational data from the cruise terminal licensees, and if needed, take
swift enforcement action to directly manage the affairs, business and
property of a cruise terminal licensee under extraordinary
circumstances, such as if the operator becomes insolvent.