International Maritime Centre News

For the 10th year in a row, Singapore ranks first in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Center Development Index (ISCDI) Report.Published jointly by the Chinese state news agency, Xinhua and global maritime data provider Baltic Exchange, the report lists Singapore as the global leading maritime center, followed by London and Shanghai.The island nation scored 95.32 out of a possible 100 points, while London scored 83.35 points and Shanghai took third place with 81.58 points.Singapore has held the top position since the index began a decade ago.

Singapore has been ranked the world's top maritime capital for the fourth consecutive time in the Leading Maritime Capitals of the World (LMC) report. The Leading Maritime Capitals report for 2019 is with fresh insight on which maritime metropolises provide the best support for companies in shipping and related services.Criteria include soft and hard infrastructure and access to world-class talent and services – all key components that maritime businesses need to thrive in their chosen locations.Singapore maintained its top position at the head of the 15 leading maritime capitals. Despite a somewhat weak trade cycle in traditional shipping and offshore oil and gas markets yet to recover…

The global container shipping company CMA CGM Group and maritime lawyer Gina Lee-Wan, Partner and Co-Head of Maritime and Aviation Practice at Allen & Gledhill, recognised at Singapore International Maritime Awards 2019."CMA CGM and Mrs Gina have received the International Maritime Centre (Corporate) Award and the International Maritime Centre (Individual) Award respectively," said a press release from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).A world leader in maritime transportation, CMA CGM has been steadily expanding its presence in Singapore. In 2017, CMA CGM doubled its operating capacity in Singapore to four million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).CMA CGM works with MPA, and institutions of higher learning to develop a skilled maritime workforce.

China Navigation Company (CNCo), part of the Swire Group, has expanded its presence in North America by establishing a branch office in Vancouver, Canada.The opening ceremony was graced by Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade & Technology, British Columbia, who unveiled a plaque in the CNCo office located at W Hastings Street.Minister Bruce Ralston said, “The Province recognises the significant contribution that The China Navigation Company makes to the shipping industry worldwide. We look forward to this new regional North American office in Vancouver contributing to increased trade between B.C. and the Asia Pacific. A strong shipping industry will create good jobs for people and increase opportunities for B.C.

To continue growing the maritime cluster and capturing new opportunities, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will strengthen the connectivity and inter-linkages of Singapore’s maritime cluster, build a vibrant innovation ecosystem and develop a future-ready and skilled maritime workforce. MPA will also enhance and top up the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF)[1] by $100 million in support of our vision for Maritime Singapore to be the Global Maritime Hub for Connectivity, Innovation and Talent. MPA will strengthen Singapore’s connectivity to capture both physical and non-physical flows. This will enable Singapore to remain as a thriving hub for maritime activities and businesses.

Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Health, launched the Sea Transport Industry Transformation Map (ITM) at the annual Singapore Maritime Foundation New Year Cocktail Reception. Developed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in partnership with the industry, unions and other government agencies, the Sea Transport ITM builds on MPA’s strategic long term plans to develop Singapore’s next-generation port and strengthen our international maritime centre (IMC). Specific initiatives have been laid out under the Sea Transport ITM to catalyse innovation, drive productivity improvements, as well as enhance the skills of the maritime workforce.

Jurong Port and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore inked an MoU at the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) Forum 2017 today to jointly pursue R&D in areas such as Smart Multi-Energy Systems, Alternative Energy Source Applications and Environmental Monitoring Solutions. The MoU signing was witnessed by Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health. The MoU, covering a period of five years, will have both parties jointly: (a) Conduct research projects and testbed solutions as part of Jurong Port’s Living Lab programme. (b) Conduct mutual exchange of expertise including staff secondment programmes. (c) Organise events to promote greater environmental sustainability through maritime outreach activities and thought leadership.

The International Maritime Centre (IMC) 2030 Advisory Committee, established by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in August 2016, has submitted the IMC 2030 Strategic Review report to the Singapore Government. The Committee’s vision is for Maritime Singapore to be the Global Maritime Hub for Connectivity, Innovation and Talent. The Committee, chaired by Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group, comprises 21 other global business leaders and experts from diverse sectors such as maritime, finance, commodities trading, logistics, finance and technology. The Committee reaffirmed that Singapore’s global hub port and IMC remain complementing twin engines of growth for Maritime Singapore.

The Vancouver International Maritime Centre (VIMC) is on a mission to grow the city and port into one of the world’s premiere maritime centers. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently spoke with Kaity Arsoniadis-Stein, Executive Director of the newly re-established VIMC, for her insights on the pace and direction of the initiative. Let’s start out easily. Why Vancouver? Why now? Why Vancouver? Projections and studies indicate that global trade will increase and shift to the Pacific due to the demand of resources by China and India.

Ocean transportation firm, “K” Line Pte Ltd, and Patrick Phoon, Deputy Managing Director of Evergreen Shipping Agency, received the International Maritime Centre (Corporate) Award and the International Maritime Centre (Individual) Award respectively. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has honoured ten industry partners who have made outstanding contributions to Singapore's development as a premier global hub port and a leading international maritime centre at the Singapore International Maritime Awards (IMA) 2017. Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd (“K” Line) started out as a representative office in 1973. Since then, “K” Line’s business activities have grown to include ship operations, ship management and ship agency.

The Singapore Maritime Gallery (SMG) which underwent a refresh, was officially opened today by Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Transport, Mrs Josephine Teo. Visitors can now look forward to more interactive and experiential learning in a vibrant maritime setting. From a ship simulator to “Ship Spotting”, visitors can immerse themselves in virtual reality as they experience a 360 degrees view of the various ship models and their components. Among the new features of the Gallery are two new sections called the “Changing Gallery” and the “Epilogue”. The “Changing Gallery” is a versatile space that can host exhibitions, workshops and other maritime-related activities.

Amid structural and cyclical changes brought about by over-capacity, mega-alliances, increasing digitisation, as well as economic and geopolitical uncertainties, Singapore remains a premier global hub port and leading international maritime centre that held steady growth in 2016. In the face of headwinds, Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2017 – organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) – will rally the global maritime industry for a week of discussions and networking to address critical issues impacting the regional and international maritime scene today. Into its 12th year, SMW will feature a record number of 34 events, including 20 business forums, eight networking receptions and six community outreach events.

The CMA CGM Group and PSA  have kicked off the second phase of their container terminal joint venture in Singapore. Officiating the event were François Hollande, President of the French Republic, and Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Singapore. The CMA CGM - PSA Lion Terminal (CPLT) started operations with two mega container berths at PSA Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal 5 (PPT 5) that had an initial annual capacity of 2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in July 2016. With the addition of two more berths under Phase 2 of its development, CPLT is now equipped with a total operating capacity of 4 million TEUs.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is calling for nominations for the Singapore International Maritime Awards (IMA) 2017. The biennial IMA recognises individuals and companies for their outstanding contributions to Singapore's development as a premier global hub port and a leading international maritime centre. The following award categories for IMA 2017 are now open for nomination. Please refer to Annex A for details. The nomination forms and assessment criteria for IMA 2017 are available here. Nominations will close on 6th Jan 2017. The SRS Green Ship of the Year Award, which recognises quality Singapore-registered ship with energy efficient ship designs, is the eighth award category.

DNV GL’s Group President & CEO Remi Eriksen participated in the first meeting of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) advisory committee for further developing Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC) towards 2030. The committee is chaired by Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group, and comprises of 22 global business leaders and experts. As part of its work, the committee will review Singapore’s IMC development strategy and identify new growth areas to enhance Singapore’s long-term competitiveness and value proposition as an IMC. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996…

The Vancouver International Maritime Centre (VIMC) and the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport of the University of the Aegean have signed a signed a Bilateral Agreement to develop faculty and student exchange programs as well as marine-related training initiatives between Greece and Canada. The collaboration aims to boost educational and maritime opportunities between both nations while continuing to build on Canadian-Greek relations. The partnership was announced during an event in Athens…

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singaporehas announced an additional 10 per cent concession on port dues for container vessels calling in Singapore, with port stays of up to five days, to help the shipping industry tide over the current economic downturn. MPA said that the additional concession will be in place for one year, and will be granted on top of existing port dues concessions such as the Green Port Programme incentives and the 20 per cent concession first introduced in 1996. The additional concession will be effective on Friday. In all, these concessions are expected to amount to more than S$17 million in annual savings for container lines, the MPA said in a media release.

The Vancouver International Maritime Centre (VIMC) welcomes the Provincial government’s $1-million commitment for the second year in a row. B.C. The VIMC’s mandate is to encourage global shipping companies to move their operations to Vancouver, bringing high-paid, high-value jobs with them. The city is well-positioned to create the first maritime hub on the west coast of North America, offering competitive tax rates and access to the Asia Pacific Gateway. Last fall, Singapore-based AAL opened an office in Vancouver, with the support of the VMIC. Yesterday, VIMC Executive Director Kaity Arsoniadis-Stein, along with Jewel Jacobs of the Squamish First Nation, were given the honour of officially christening the SST Capilano. The new tug was named after historical leader, Chief Joe Capilano.

Members of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) have read with interest the recent announcement by the Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) in its bid to acquire the Baltic Exchange. Mr Esben Poulsson, President of SSA said: “We understand that for some time, the Board of the Baltic Exchange, which traces its origins back to 1744, has been considering a number of strategic options regarding future ownership of this venerable institution, and that a number of options have been under consideration. “In as much as the SGX is in itself a commercial organisation, listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, the SSA is not in a position to comment on the reasons behind SGX’s decision to make a bid. But clearly, the SGX, no doubt, sees both value and synergies through such an acquisition.

The inauguration of new The Nautical Institute (Singapore) Branch was hosted by the Singapore Shipping Association and sponsored by the Shipowners’ Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association (Luxemburg), Singapore Branch, during Singapore Maritime Week. Members of the Institute attending were welcomed by the President of The Nautical Institute (Singapore) Branch, Capt. Duncan Telfer FNI and the Honorary Secretary Capt. Venkat Padmanabhan. Capt. Robert Mc Cabe FNI MSc Mgmt, President of the Nautical Institute, London, formally inaugurated the Singapore Branch on behalf of The Nautical Institute and presented the branch with a Nautical Institute plaque. In return, Capt. Mc Cabe was presented with an engraved pewter platter on behalf of the Singapore Branch. In his address, Capt.

A new shipping company has established itself in Vancouver as the Vancouver International Maritime Centre (VIMC) completes its Asia tour, launching in Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong. Greystoke Marine Management Ltd. is the latest company to choose Vancouver for its base of operations. The company focuses on assisting global shipping investors and international owners with optimally managing their portfolio of assets. Greystoke’s founders Robert Hedley, Mads Meldgaard and Roy Spires are all former shipping executives with one of the world's largest energy transportation providers, Teekay Corp. “Greystoke is a great supporter of the Vancouver International Maritime Centre initiative and Vancouver was an obvious location to start our new company,” said Co-CEO Robert Hedley.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has started the construction of a new container terminal at the western end of the island to replace existing container port facilities and consolidate operations for the long term. The first phase of the Tuas Terminal project will have 20 deepwater berths with an initial capacity to handle an annual traffic of 20 million twenty-foot-container equivalent units (TEUs), rising to 65 million TEUs when completed by 2046. The start of construction was marked on Friday by Singapore’ Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan with the launching the first caisson.

The President of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) Mr Esben Poulsson has been elected as the new Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). Mr Poulsson was elected at the ICS Annual General Meeting in Tokyo today (2 June). He takes over from Mr Masamichi Morooka, who has stood down after four years in office. Speaking about his new role Mr Poulsson expressed his honour at being elected as the next ICS Chairman. He said: “Rather than viewing this as a personal achievement, I believe my election is more a reflection of Singapore’s stature as a respected flag state and major international maritime centre. “International engagement and outreach has been…