IBM, MPA Team Up to Improve Port Technology
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has signed a memorandum of understanding with IBM to research ways to ease traffic congestion, improve safety standards and prevent illegal bunkering activity at the port, the MPA said in a statement.
The partnership will develop and test-bed new analytics-based technologies, aimed at improving maritime and port operations to cater to increasing growth in vessel traffic in Singapore.
As part of the two-year agreement, IBM will create a unified platform to integrate real time data and provide a consistent view of data points across MPA to empower port operators to make more informed decisions. For example, with vessel positional and weather data, the platform will report on any vessel path inferences to avoid accidents.
MPA added that it aimed to "develop and test-bed new analytics-based technologies, aimed at improving maritime and port operations to cater to increasing growth in vessel traffic in Singapore."
Singapore was one of the busiest ports with about 130,000 vessels called at the port every year, which means a vessel arrives or leaves Singapore every two to three minutes, it added.
"MPA is happy to partner IBM on this important MOU to leverage new technologies and harness data analytics that not only enhance current maritime operations, but support our smart port initiatives for the Tuas Next Generation Port," said Andrew Tan, Chief Executive, MPA.
Tim Greisinger, Managing Director, IBM Singapore, commenting on the partnership, said "the capabilities that will be created in this initiative are aligned to Singapore's aspirations to be a smart nation, and we are honoured to be partnering MPA in our joint commitment to improve the long-term efficiencies of the maritime industry and enhance Singapore's position as a world-class international maritime centre."
