MPA Singapore teams up with Amazon Web Services

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has entered into a collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com company, aimed at supporting the maritime industry’s digital transformation and green transition.

The parties signed a memorandum of understanding at the ‘Accelerating Digitalisation and Decarbonisation Conference’ at Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) on 16 April 2024.

MPA will tap on AWS services including cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital twins to enhance the industry’s efficiency, safety, and sustainability outcomes.

As part of the collaboration, MPA and AWS will develop the maritime Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI–ML) Digital Hub, the first-of-its-kind in ASEAN region. The digital hub will leverage AWS cloud to enable the maritime industry to pilot innovative AI and generative AI (GenAI) capabilities to trial on the Green and Digital Shipping Corridors, optimising routes and fuel consumption, carbon emissions accounting, and just-in-time arrivals. MPA will also tap the Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative to accelerate sustainability research and innovation by minimising the cost and time required to acquire and analyse large sustainability datasets.

To develop the industry’s AI capabilities, the duo will also conduct training, incubation initiatives, and immersion programmes to equip maritime industry employees and stakeholders, particularly those in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with cloud, data, and AI skills. The first training programme is expected to roll out by the end of 2024.

Piloting the Use of Digital Ship Identity with S&P Global and Bunkerchain

 At the event, MPA also signed an MoU with S&P Global Market Intelligence and Bunkerchain to use the Port of Singapore as the test bed to trial and pilot the use of digital ship identity in maritime applications such as digital port clearance and digital bunkering.

Digital identity refers to the unique representation of an entity in the digital world, which consists of various attributes and data that distinguish it from others. When deployed in tandem with electronic signatures, these digital technologies will eliminate the need for physical ship stamps and wet ink signatures, and accelerate the transition towards truly digital, secure, and paperless operations.

Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF)

MPA has signed a letter of intent with 22 partners to establish Singapore’s Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF) to prepare seafarers and officers for the safe operation of ships which will be running on zero and near-zero emission fuels.

METF will be established as a decentralised network of training facilities in Singapore. It will be anchored by a new dual-fuel marine engine simulator for training on the safe handling, bunkering and management of incidents involving the use of alternative fuels, such as methanol and ammonia.

Other training facilities supporting METF include the integrated engine room and bridge simulator by the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) at Singapore Polytechnic (SP), as well as the bridge and engine simulator at Wavelink Maritime Institute (WMI) for crew resource management training. For emergency response training, METF is supported by gas and fire safety training facilities at Poly Marina operated by the SMA, as well as AR-enabled scenario-based training developed by SP’s Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety.

Launch of Maritime Singapore Startup Ecosystem Map to Support the Discovery of MarineTech Startups 

Motion Ventures and PIER71, supported by MPA, launched the Maritime Singapore Startup Ecosystem Map 2024. The Map, the first of its kind in Singapore, showcases the active Singapore-based MarineTech startups according to their focus areas.

By displaying the MarineTech startups on a single interface, the map is expected to help maritime companies, technology companies, or venture capitalists discover startups or potential MarineTech solutions, encourage information sharing, and create networks and opportunities for collaboration in the maritime sector.