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Foreign Workers · Marine & Shipyard
Hire marine and shipyard workers in Singapore
We recruit Work Permit workers for Singapore’s shipyards and marine contractors — welders, fitters, riggers, painters and support crews. We check your quota and levy before you commit, source trade-tested candidates through licensed partners, and manage the application from quota check to your worker’s first day in the yard. Start with a free quota check below.
Marine & shipyard hiring at a glance — 2026
The marine sector has its own quota, levy and source-country rules. Your headroom is set by
your Dependency Ratio Ceiling, your monthly levy depends on each worker’s skill tier and
your quota band, and the marine sector can recruit from a wide range of source countries.
Many shipyard trades require certification before deployment. The figures below are the
current published rates as at our last review.
| Sector | Pass | Source group | Skill tier | Quota band | Monthly levy (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine shipyard | WP | All sources | Higher-skilled (R1) | — | $350 |
| Marine shipyard | WP | All sources | Basic-skilled (R2) | — | $500 |
Compiled from officially published Ministry of Manpower information · Last reviewed against officially published rates: 2026-06-13. Figures may change — confirm with official sources before acting.
Which marine trades do you recruit?
We supply the core shipyard and marine trades, from certified welders and fitters to riggers and general yard crew. Many of these trades require trade testing before deployment, which we arrange as part of the process. Tell us the trades, certifications and experience you need, and we’ll source candidates matched to your yard and project.
Shipyard welders (3G/4G/6G)
Pipe fitters
Steel fitters
Riggers
Grinders
Blasters & painters
Scaffolders
Crane operators
Electricians
Mechanical fitters
QC inspectors
Yard supervisors
Trades needing trade certification are tested before deployment — see below.
How do marine workers get trade-certified?
Shipyard trades such as welding and pipe-fitting require recognised trade certification before
a worker can be deployed. For workers recruited from source countries, this is assessed
through trade testing — for example welder qualification tests to the required standard such
as 3G, 4G or 6G positions — before they travel. Passing certifies the worker and can affect
their skill tier, and therefore your levy. We build testing into the timeline.
1
Trade test booked
Candidate booked for welder/fitter testing in the source country.
2
Trade evaluation
Assessed against the required standard for the role.
3
Certified for deployment
On passing, certified and cleared to travel.
What does it cost to hire a marine worker?
The cost of hiring a marine worker is more than the levy alone. Employers also carry the
security bond, insurance, the medical examination, the primary-care plan, housing, and the
agency fee — some monthly, some one-time. The example below sets out the main
components so you can budget realistically. Your actual figures depend on the worker’s skill
tier, your quota band and your insurer, so treat this as an indicative breakdown, not a quote.
| Cost component | Type | Indicative amount |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly levy | Monthly | Varies by tier and quota band — see the levy calculator |
| Security bond (non-Malaysian WP) | One-time guarantee | S$5,000 guarantee |
| Medical insurance + WICA | Annual | Varies by insurer |
| Primary-care plan | Annual | Varies by plan |
| Medical examination | One-time | Varies by clinic |
| Airfare | One-time | At cost |
| Agency fee | One-time | Quoted upfront |
Indicative example only — your figures will differ. Levy and bond figures compiled from published MOM information · last reviewed 2026-06-13. Not a quote.
Free quota check — 30 seconds
Tell us three things. We reply on WhatsApp with your indicative quota
headroom for your yard and what it means for your hiring plan.
headroom for your yard and what it means for your hiring plan.
FREE QUOTA CHECK · 30 SECONDS · NO OBLIGATION
Tell us three things. We reply on WhatsApp with your indicative quota headroom and what it means for your hiring plan.
Free, no obligation. Indicative guidance based on published quota rules — we confirm the details with you on WhatsApp. Replies within the hour, business hours.
How does hiring a marine worker work, step by step?
Hiring runs through six stages, with trade testing built in where required. We confirm your
quota and levy first, source and test candidates at origin, you select, we file the Work Permit
application for In-Principle Approval, the worker completes medical and travel formalities,
and then arrives and deploys to your yard. We keep you updated at every stage.
1
Quota & levy check
We confirm your headroom and the monthly levy band before anything is signed.
2
Sourcing & trade testing
Licensed partners source candidates and arrange trade testing at origin.
3
Selection
You review profiles and interview by video or in person. You choose.
4
Work Permit application & IPA
We file the Work Permit application and track it to In-Principle Approval.
5
Pre-deployment
Medical, bond, insurance and travel arranged before departure.
6
Arrival & deployment
Entry, settling-in formalities and first day in your yard.
Durations vary; any timeframe reflects typically published processing information at our last review — not a guarantee.
Hiring marine workers — common questions
Q1 How many marine workers can I hire?
Set by your Dependency Ratio Ceiling and your number of local employees earning at least the Local Qualifying Salary. The marine sector ratio caps your foreign headcount; run the free quota check above for an indicative figure.
Q2 How much is the levy for a shipyard worker?
It depends on the worker’s skill tier (R1 vs R2) and your quota band; higher-skilled workers attract a lower levy. See our levy calculator for current published rates applied to your headcount.
Q3 Do shipyard welders need a trade test?
Yes — most certified trades, especially welders and fitters, are trade-tested to the required standard before deployment. We arrange and schedule this so it doesn’t delay your project.
Q4 Which countries can I hire marine workers from?
The marine sector can recruit from a wide range including Non-Traditional Source countries such as India and Bangladesh, alongside Malaysia, China and the North Asian Sources. We run licensed partnerships in India and Bangladesh.
Q5 How long does it take to get a yard worker deployed?
It varies with the trade, certification, source country and document timelines. We give you a realistic estimate for your specific roles before you commit.
Q6 What are my obligations once the worker arrives?
Compliant housing, medical insurance, Work Injury Compensation cover, the primary-care plan, the security bond, and yard safety requirements. We walk you through the full marine-sector list.