SINGAPORE - A total of 12 start-ups pitched proposals to tackle challenges facing the maritime industry at the Smart Port Challenge Demo Day on Thursday (Sept 28).
Some included technologies such as augmented and virtual reality to simulate safe and realistic training in a port environment for quay crane operations and container lashings.
One proposal had an intelligent chatbot with learning capability to enhance customer service for ferry customers. Another harnessed the use of blockchain to digitise shipping documents in the sea transport logistics supply chain.
These basic workable prototypes can be further developed beyond the event, said MPA in a statement.
The Smart Port Challenge, organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), was launched in June this year.
In all, the initiative received 81 proposals, from which the final 12 were eventually shortlisted.
The top winner of Demo Day was Gleematic, which used automation to help ships meet regulatory clearance. It won S$5,000 in cash.
The second-prize winner was T-Mining, which aimed to increase visibility of the maritime logistic supply chain data from ships, cargo and containers to improve efficiency of global operations.
Third was XjeraLabs, which looked at ensuring the safety of port users in an automated and heavily industrial environment.
All 12 start-ups are eligible to apply for funding support of up to S$50,000 to develop fully functional solutions with opportunities to test-bed their product with MPA's industry partners.
They can also look forward to funding support from other venture capitalists or apply for MPA's Maritime Innovation and Technology fund to further their research and development of the project.
"The various prototypes demonstrate how we can leverage novel technologies for practical applications in the industry, helping to improve productivity, streamline operations, and save costs. Through such platforms, we hope to attract more start-ups to the maritime sector in future runs," said MPA chief executive Andrew Tan.
He added that MPA will also be exploring potential collaboration with other accelerator programmes to boost efforts to promote innovation in the maritime sector.
