Singapore Maritime Institute News

Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport, announced a record year in 2023 at a Singapore Maritime Foundation New Year Conversations event.The annual vessel arrival tonnage in the Port of Singapore crossed three billion gross tonnage (GT) for the first time, increasing by 9.4% over 2022 and setting a high of 3.09 billion GT in 2023. This reflects growth in all segments, including container ships, dry bulk carriers, liquid bulk and chemical tankers, ferries and specialised vessels…

Yinson GreenTech (YGT) and the Goal Zero Consortium led by SeaTech Solutions have officially launched Hydromover, a lightweight, 18.5 meter vessel that has become Singapore’s first fully electric cargo vessel.The vessel is designed with swappable battery solutions and can carry up to 25 tonnes of cargo. It generates zero emissions and can potentially reduce operational costs by up to 50% compared to conventional vessels due to improved energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs.The…

ABS has been announced as the industry collaborator to build the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT) Systems. The project is led by iTrust, Center for Research in Cyber Security at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), in collaboration with ABS and Singapore Polytechnic’s Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS).The MariOT will support a host of cybersecurity activities to meet the challenges in the maritime industry’s push towards digitalization. MariOT will be the world's first industrial-grade, cyber-physical platform, combining essential shipboard OT systems with virtual simulation models. “We will build virtual models of ship OT systems using advanced multi-physics modeling and simulation.

Wärtsilä Voyage will deliver the next generation navigational simulator for Singapore’s Center of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS) to prepare seafarers for shore-based remote management of vessels and autonomous ship operations. CEMS is a collaboration between the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) and Singapore Polytechnic, supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The next generation simulation platform will be based on the Wärtsilä NTPRO (Navi-Trainer Professional…

A new roadmap developed by leading maritime research institutes in Norway and Singapore examines the path ahead for smart and autonomous sea transport systems.Unveiled at the SMI Forum in Singapore on October 22, by Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs, Chee Hong Tat, and the Ambassador of Norway to Singapore, Anita Nergaard, the roadmap has been developed by SINTEF Ocean in Norway and Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), with input from Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI)…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ABS to renew its partnership in maritime research, development and innovation. The signing was witnessed by Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs, at the Singapore Maritime Institute’s SMI Forum 2020 themed “Future of Port and Shipping”.Under this agreement, MPA and ABS will collaborate on projects relating to decarbonization, AI-driven decision support tools…

Singapore is seeking proposals on the electrification of small vessels known as harbourcraft as the industry transitions towards a low-carbon future, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a joint statement on Wednesday.The MPA is working with the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) to seek proposals from industry participants and institutes of higher learning or research institutes to develop commercially ready fully-electric harbourcraft.They are also seeking…

The number of major incidents in the Port of Singapore has dropped over the last 10 years, with fewer than 0.12 major incidents per 100,000 vessel movements in 2018, down from 0.8 in 2009.Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health, said, “I thank the maritime community for the good work in improving maritime safety. The use of technology and digitization can further enhance maritime safety by providing seafarers better access to critical safety-related information and early warning of potential incidents.”Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will embark on a “Digital OCEANS” strategy to encourage Open or Common Exchange And Network Standardization. This strategy aims to allow digital platforms of port authorities e.g.

Niam Chiang Meng, Chairman of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), opened a new 24/7 Maritime Cybersecurity Operations Centre (MSOC) yesterday (May 16). The MSOC will be operated by ST Engineering in its Hub.According to a press release from MPA, MSOC will conduct 24/7 monitoring and correlate data activities across all maritime Critical Information Infrastructure (CII). It will have the capability to (a) detect and monitor cyber-attacks by analysing activities in the IT environment; (b) detect anomalies and threats; and (c) respond to the cybersecurity incidents using available technology solutions.The objective of MSOC is to strengthen Singapore’s maritime cybersecurity posture through early detection…

Singapore's maritime sector is preparing to ride the wave of digitalisation as a means to chart next phase of growth. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will focus on digitalisation to help companies innovate and improve productivity over the next three years, said Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Health.The Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) will also present the Singapore Maritime R&D Roadmap 2030 to optimise R&D efforts and resources for greater value co-creation within the maritime industry.Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of MPA, said, “Innovation and digitalisation are key areas for Maritime Singapore to sharpen our competitive edge. We recognise that some companies need help to kick-start their digitalisation journey.

The repositioning of empty containers costs the liner industry an estimated $15-20billion every year according to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), as containers sit idle at a depot or are repositioned to a different loading point while empty. This is time spent not earning revenue, whil incurring additional costs, and is estimated by BCG to account for 5-8% of total operating costs for an average container liner. These expenses can include inland repositioning by rail or road onto a different port or terminal…

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 Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Shell Eastern Trading (PTE) LTD (Shell) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to cooperate in the research and development and test-bedding of projects within the maritime industry in areas of clean fuel technologies, automation and digitalisation. Under the MOU, MPA in partnership with Shell, will collaborate on the following key areas: Developing innovative solutions to reduce emissions in the port, Explore greater use of automation in the port and Support study and development of digitalisation efforts, including electronic data exchanges among various stakeholders, to enhance safety, efficiency and security of maritime communication.

The inaugural biofuel roundtable was held in Singapore today to drive discussions on the use of biofuels as a sustainable alternative fuel for the future of shipping. Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), BHP and GoodFuels Marine (GoodFuels), the closed-door roundtable event brought together shipowners of different ship types to network, share insights into the use of biofuels to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations as well as explore areas of collaboration. The Nanyang Technological University soon to be established centre of excellence focusing on maritime environment & energy, with support from MPA and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI)…

The maritime sector is undergoing significant transformation. To enhance Singapore’s hub port competitiveness, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is leveraging technology to help maritime companies innovate and move into new growth areas. MPA will be establishing the MPA Living Lab, and working with partners to set up three Centres of Excellence to deepen maritime R&D competencies. The MPA has also enhanced the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) for Manpower Development and the MCF for Productivity, to help Singaporeans up-skill for more knowledge-intensive jobs and maritime companies to adopt technology to improve business processes, respectively.

ABS, a classification and technical services provider to the offshore and marine industries, has been recognized by the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) as this year’s recipient of the Honorary SMI Collaboration Award. Guest of honor Lucien Wong, Chairman of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, presented the Honorary SMI Collaboration Award to ABS on October 10 at the SMI Forum. The award represents special acknowledgement of the many projects pursued in collaboration with the ABS Singapore Innovation and Research Center (SIRC).

The Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be setting up a joint research programme to build up institutional expertise in ocean governance and to spearhead thought leadership in areas critical to bolster Singapore’s global maritime knowledge hub status. CIL received a three-year research grant of S$1.56 million from the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) supported by MPA to establish the CIL-MPA Oceans Governance Research Programme. The dynamic and complex challenges facing the shipping industry brought about by stricter regulations, climate change, growing number of vessels and new technologies require maritime leaders to challenge conventional modes of thinking.

Maritime industry leaders have called for greater collaboration and consolidation in Asia to tackle challenges such as the rise over capacity, talent shortages and environmental sustainability, which are impacting the potential of the industry. Speaking at an industry insights briefing today ahead of the launch of Sea Asia 2015, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore Assistant Chief Executive (Development) Tan Beng Tee; PIL Managing Director and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) Chairman S.S.

Cargotec's Kalmar,  as part of a consortium, received a commendation award of $100,000 (USD)  in the Next Generation Container Port (NGCP) Challenge at the Singapore International Maritime Awards on April 11. The NGCP Challenge sought to identify innovative ideas on how to plan, design and operate the next generation of container ports that exemplify performance, productivity and sustainability. Kalmar's proposal was prepared in close cooperation with Singapore Nanyang Technological University, APL Co Ltd, Fraunhofer IDM@NTU and VTT Technical Research Center of Finland.

Singapore bunkering conference informed by Minister of Transport of recent measures taken to improve bunkering in the port. Minister for Transport, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, presided over the opening ceremony of the 17th Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON) and during the opening announced the introduction of an information sheet on licensed bunker suppliers and an industry guide for the use of mass flow metering system. Minister Lui said that MPA will publish an information sheet on licensed bunker suppliers in the Port of Singapore in its efforts to allow shipowners to make more informed decisions in appointing bunker suppliers.

Performance, productivity, sustainability - achieve these three targets in order to win the Next Generation Container Port (NGCP) Challenge's top prize of USD1 million. Jointly organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), the NGCP Challenge seeks to identify ideas that will achieve a quantum leap in port performance, productivity and sustainability for a new generation of container port that is set 10 years in the future. The NGCP Challenge was officially launched by Capt M Segar, MPA's Assistant Chief Executive (Operations). Registration for the international competition is open till 31 July 2012. Participants will have to submit their proposals by 31 December 2012.