Singapore has been at the forefront of port drone services since at least 2018. That year, the first commercial delivery-drone system trial for ships at anchorage took place here. It is both an R&D- and business-friendly environment and a leader in drone safety regulation. Seafarers who decide to fly personal drones in the Port of Singapore, especially near Changi Airport, may face heavy fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has strict rules on drone use over land and water: drones must not be flown over crowds, near roads or near emergency responders; flights above 200 ft (about 61 m) are prohibited; and drones may not operate within 5 km of an airport without prior permission and a licence. The maximum penalty is a fine of up to US$39,000 or imprisonment of up to two years.

The 5 km no-fly zone around Changi Airport happens to cover several anchorages in Singapore’s eastern waterfront. According to a circular recently distributed to the shipping industry by CAAS and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), several seafarers have unknowingly violated this rule.

According to CAAS, two seafarers were caught this summer operating recreational drones in the wrong area. In June, a crew member on a local bunker tanker decided to fly a drone at Eastern Petroleum Bravo Anchorage, about 3 km from the airport, at an altitude of about 140 ft (about 43 m). The 46-year-old seafarer did not hold a permit and was fined about US$4,000 rather than sentenced to 10 days’ imprisonment.

In July, a crew member on a foreign-flagged oil tanker operated a recreational drone at Eastern Petroleum Charlie Anchorage, less than 2 km from Changi Airport, at an altitude of 240 ft (about 73 m), far exceeding the legal limit. The person was fined US$2,300.

According to The Straits Times, on land, about 300 cases a year involve tourists and members of the public being caught for improper drone use. Only a small number are prosecuted, but for those that are, court proceedings can take weeks and actual fines can reach US$10,000 or more.

Despite Singapore’s strict general rules, the MPA remains highly supportive of commercial applications of drone technology. It operates designated “testbed” safe anchorages for shipboard drone R&D, and several well-known maritime services companies have used these anchorages to test new technologies in real-world environments.

The MPA has also set up an official drone test launch and preparation area, with covered space for assembly and operation—one of the few port-sponsored drone R&D areas in the world.