SINGAPORE - The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and port operator PSA Singapore (PSA) have reaffirmed a 12-year partnership with fresh cash injections to support research aimed at improving the productivity and sustainability of port operations here.
MPA and PSA renewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Port Technology Research and Development Programme at the Singapore Maritime Week on Tuesday.
As part of the agreement, which was first inked in 2011, MPA and PSA will each commit $12 million to support transformative research and development projects in areas such as automation, robotics, digital solutions and sustainability.
Speaking before the signing ceremony, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport Chee Hong Tat said the renewed partnership will prioritise new technologies, such as robotic solutions for handling containers and the testing of smart grid and energy storage systems.
PSA will be working with industry partners, institutes of higher learning and research institutions on many of these projects, he said. “Through these initiatives, we provide support for our local innovation and research ecosystem, and attract more research and start-up activities to Singapore.”
Since 2011, the MOU has resulted in many improvements at PSA ports, such as the deployment of automated guided vehicles – which are battery-powered – at Tuas Port.
Mr Chee said steps are also being taken to enable new technologies, such as the use of maritime drones, to increase the flexibility and efficiency of ship-to-shore deliveries and conduct remote ship inspections.
On this front, Singapore will launch a call for proposal (CFP) to set up infrastructure enabling drones to deliver supplies to ships in its waters this year.
“The CFP will act as a pathfinder for public agencies and private companies to develop a concept of operations for drones that is suited to Singapore’s operating environment as a busy hub port,” he said.
Meanwhile, Singapore will roll out its maritime 5G network in phases between now and mid-2025.
“When completed, Singapore will be the first port in the world to provide full 5G connectivity across our port waters,” said Mr Chee.
He also announced new partnerships with foreign companies.
Zebox, a maritime start-up incubator and accelerator, will be setting up its first Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore in partnership with French shipping line CMA CGM, PSA unboXed, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore and Synergy Marine Group.
Zebox was founded in 2018 by CMA CGM chairman Rodolphe Saade as a community of promising start-ups and large companies dedicated to accelerating decarbonisation and optimising supply chain operations.
Meanwhile, the Institute of High Performance Computing under government statutory board Agency for Science, Technology and Research will sign a new master agreement framework with seven industry partners to co-develop artificial intelligence solutions for the maritime sector.
The Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA), which was formed in March 2022 under the leadership of Kuok (Singapore) Limited Maritime Group, will also welcome 11 new members.
Together, the 18 CSA members will work on technological solutions to electrify, digitalise and decarbonise Singapore’s next-generation coastal logistics ecosystem, Mr Chee said.
