Use of drones to detect, respond to chemical spills at sea to be trialled from Q2 2025

SINGAPORE – The use of drones to detect and respond to chemical spills at sea will be trialled by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) from the second quarter of 2025.

The trial will test how drones can be used to mitigate the spread of flammable, toxic fumes, which are characteristic of methanol and ammonia – two emerging marine fuels.

Thanks to advancements in drone technology, unmanned machines have the potential to improve efficiency and safety, while reducing reliance on fuel- and labour-intensive processes, Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor said on March 25.

Speaking at a conference on digitalisation and decarbonisation during Singapore Maritime Week, Dr Khor said MPA will trial “new drone capabilities, including coordinated drone operations” to contain the spread of poisonous and combustible gases.

The trial will explore how drones can be deployed in the maritime context for “routine surveillance and anomaly detection”, MPA told The Straits Times.

This will help it to intervene early in case of an incident at sea, it added.

MPA has previously tested drones equipped with a methanol detector, an infrared camera – which detects heat signatures – and plume-modelling capabilities to help it detect methanol leaks during a methanol bunkering, or refuelling, operation.

When asked, MPA did not disclose what new capabilities it plans to test in 2025.

Methanol, a clear liquid, is highly flammable. It burns relatively cleanly, producing little to no visible smoke, making it difficult to detect with the naked eye.

Mr Kelvin Kang, general manager of Stellar Shipmanagement Services, said drones can detect the presence of certain gases, such as methanol, and assess wind direction, which determines whether the gas will be carried to shore or towards other vessels.

Drones that can carry and deliver water are also used to respond to methanol spills, Mr Kang said, as methanol dissolves in water, making it less potent and, therefore, less dangerous.

Captain Hari Subramaniam, who chairs The Nautical Institute (Singapore), said that in the maritime context, drones can give first responders a view of the extent of fires at sea without lives being put in danger.

“They effectively help with risk assessment before firefighters are sent into potentially dangerous and hazardous situations,” he said, noting that drones are capable of a quicker response and remote data collection.

In the maritime industry, “drones can also be used to form water curtains (around the affected vessel) for boundary cooling and to control the spread of flammable vapours”, he added.

In the light of the push towards newer, cleaner fuels such as methanol, it is important that seafarers are trained to safely handle the fuel and respond to emergencies, said Capt Hari, who is also deputy chairman of MPA’s National Maritime Safety at Sea Council and regional head of business relations at The Shipowners’ Club, a mutual insurance association.

The marine fuels used today are mainly fossil fuels, such as petroleum products, which seafarers are largely familiar with, he said.

“These fuels have been in use for a long time, and hence there are very few surprises,” he added.

On March 25, Dr Khor announced that the Maritime Energy Training Facility will roll out a digital platform to equip maritime workers with skills to handle and operate dual-fuel vessels.

The platform will provide “seamless global access to alternative marine fuels and new technologies training”, she said.

The facility was launched in 2024 and will be progressively set up in Singapore by 2026.

Spread out across different locations in Singapore, the facility is expected to include a dual-fuel marine engine simulator to facilitate training on the safe handling and bunkering of vessels and incident management in the use of alternative fuels.

To meet the shipping industry’s growing interest in methanol, MPA has also opened applications for methanol bunker supplier licences in the Port of Singapore, Dr Khor said.

She also launched Technical Reference 136, which guides the development of charging infrastructure and battery-swop systems for electric harbour craft.

The second day of Singapore Maritime Week also saw the commissioning of the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT), the world’s first industrial-grade cyber-physical platform designed to strengthen shipboard cyber-security training and testing.

MariOT has realistic simulations of key maritime systems, including navigation, propulsion and power management systems, to help train maritime professionals in dealing with cyber threats and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world operational challenges, MPA said.

Following her speech, Dr Khor witnessed the signing of a letter of intent between Singapore and India to work together on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation.

In a joint statement, MPA and India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said the two sides will collaborate on projects and “work towards formalising the partnership” through an agreement on a Singapore-India green and digital shipping corridor.

The 19th edition of Singapore Maritime Week, which runs from March 24 to 28, is expected to be attended by more than 20,000 people from nearly 80 countries.