MPA calls for design proposals for new electric patrol craft
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An MPA patrol craft in a joint oil spill exercise on Oct 11. MPA is calling for design and development proposals for new electric patrol craft.
PHOTO: MPA
SINGAPORE – The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is calling for design and development proposals for new electric patrol craft that will start operations by the first quarter of 2028, it said on Oct 14.
According to tender documents from MPA, these craft should include autonomous and digital functions such as remote operations from a shore-based control centre and have safety measures like collision and avoidance detection systems.
They must be equipped with dispersant spraying and firefighting abilities, and be capable of watering down chemical spills involving hazardous or flammable materials.
Apart from having sufficient battery charging and replacement capabilities, these patrol craft should have secure battery compartments to make sure the batteries are not flammable, and for gas and water to not pass through them, as well as cooling systems for heat management.
The patrol craft should ideally include an external chemical detector system for real-time detection and monitoring of the concentration of volatile gas emissions – such as ammonia, methanol and hydrogen – in addition to external environmental sensors to measure wind, waves and temperature, the authority added.
Responding to The Straits Times’ question on the number of electric patrol craft it currently owns, MPA said that it has a fleet of seven patrol craft.
It added that it is exploring the potential design and technology, including the battery and charging systems, for its future fleet.
The authority did not respond to ST’s questions on the number of craft it will procure, as well as the minimum battery capacity and ideal charging time of the craft it is accepting proposals for.
From 2030, all new harbour craft operating in Singapore’s waters will need to be fully electric, be capable of using B100 biofuel or be compatible with net zero fuels such as hydrogen.
As this mandate is applicable to patrol craft, MPA said this call for proposals will allow the verification, demonstration and development of electric patrol craft to comply with these operational requirements from 2027, so adjustments can be made in time before 2030 if required.
Typically, these craft are used during enforcement patrols, surveillance operations, personnel transfer, search and rescue missions, firefighting, transfer of casualties, towing of small craft, and control of oil or chemical spills.
They are often the first to respond to marine incidents outside the port of Singapore as they are on patrol 24/7.
During a June 14 oil spill involving an allision between a Netherlands-flagged dredge and Singapore-flagged bunker vessel, the first vessel to reach the incident site at Pasir Panjang Terminal was an MPA patrol craft. It sprayed dispersants on the spill after assessing the situation.
