Strengthening Singapore’s Competitiveness as a Hub Port and Global Maritime Centre

Strengthening Singapore’s Competitiveness as a Hub Port and International Maritime Centre

********** Achieving better efficiency, safety, and productivity through technology **********

Progress of Tuas Port after its official opening in September 2022

When completed in the 2040s, Tuas Port will be the world’s largest fully automated terminal, with a handling capacity of 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), almost double the handling volume of 37.3 million TEUs handled in 2022.

Development of Tuas Port is over four phases. Reclamation works for Phase 1 commenced in February 2015 and were completed in November 2021. Reclamation works for Phase 2 commenced in March 2018 and is currently about 60% completed.  When the berths in both phases are fully operational, Tuas Port will reach an annual handling capacity of more than 40 million TEUs.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has started planning and design works for Tuas Port Phase 3. Reclamation works for Phase 3 is expected to be completed in the mid-2030s.

To improve Tuas Port’s accessibility for its workers and users, MPA will collaborate with port operator, PSA Singapore, government agencies, industry partners and unions to form a tripartite committee in 2023 to co-create various transportation options for port workers and users.

Maritime 5G

To further maritime digitalisation and the development of future concept of operations, MPA and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in August 2022 to provide full maritime 5G coverage in our major anchorages, fairways, terminals and boarding grounds by mid-2025.

Twelve maritime 5G base stations will be set up to complement the onshore 5G communication infrastructure. Three of the base stations will be ready by 2023 to support testing and development of new digital applications, such as remotely assisted pilotage advisory, digital bunkering, delivery drones, and telemedicine. The remaining nine base stations will be set up by 2025.

Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System

To further strengthen vessel navigational safety and efficiency of the port as we continue to grow our hub port, MPA is developing an artificial intelligence-enabled Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System (NGVTMS) to replace the existing Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS).

With data analytics and machine learning to identify traffic hotspots as well as advanced algorithms to predict potential collisions, the NGVTMS will allow MPA to provide Ship Captains with more accurate and timely information to take early actions for navigational safety. Secured and reliable data transfer between ship-ship and ship-shore for NGVTMS can be facilitated through various connectivity platforms such as the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) and the maritime 5G network.

The NGVTMS will be developed in three phases.

Phase 1 – Innovation Programme [2018- 2021]: MPA completed a three-year Innovation Programme in 2021 to develop and test new operating concepts and technologies to enhance navigation safety and efficiency of vessel traffic management.

Phase 2 – Prototyping [2023 – 2024]: MPA will start to develop a system prototype in April 2023 to test various vessel traffic management applications such as the Smart Collision Detection and Proactive Traffic Management in a real-time sandbox operating environment. This will enable MPA to gain insights on potential new capabilities and scope the requirements and specifications for system implementation. 

Phase 3 – System Implementation [2024-2027]: The final phase will consist of design, development, installation, testing, and commissioning of the NGVTMS. The system will be deployed from 2025 for 24/7 operations.

Phase 2 of digitalPORT@SG™

With the successful implementation of digitalPORT@SG™ Phase 1 as a one stop portal for port entry and departure in 2020, MPA will roll out Phase 2 of digitalPORT@SG™ in 2023.

Phase 2 will provide port stakeholders with real-time information to facilitate just-in-time vessel arrivals to terminals, help vessels access marine services such as bunkering, supplies and repairs, as well as an Active Anchorage Management System to optimise the usage of anchorage spaces. This will enhance port efficiency, reduce ship turnaround time, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by minimising ships’ idling time at anchorages.

Singapore Trade Data Exchange Pilot Data Sharing Initiative

MPA will work with Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex), Jurong Port and their partners to pilot a data sharing initiative under SGTraDex’s ship supplies and lighterage optimisation use case that focuses on supplies procurement, fulfilment and lighterage logistics. The pilot aims to help large and small businesses optimise their ship supplies operations by digitalising their ship supplies operations and encouraging data sharing between supply chain stakeholders in the ship supplies sector. 

Maritime Cyber Assurance and Operations Centre

As maritime systems become increasingly digitalised, Singapore must also be prepared with the right tools to manage the risk of cyber incidents that could disrupt the flow of vessels and cargo at our ports.

MPA will establish the Maritime Cyber Assurance and Operations Centre (MCAOC) by 2025 to provide real-time security monitoring and disseminate information to mitigate cyber threats, advise on system recovery and measures to take following an incident, and facilitate cyber threat information-sharing among maritime stakeholders such as port and terminal operators, shipping lines and marine service providers with digital systems.

The MCAOC will enable maritime stakeholders to pool financial and manpower resources, and create economies of scale, to tackle cyber threats in the maritime sector.

Equipped with analytics capability, MCAOC will strengthen operational responses to evolving cyber threats by providing insights to maritime stakeholders on advanced malware and modes of attack. MCAOC will also offer training and conduct cybersecurity exercises for the maritime industry.

********** Reducing carbon emissions in Maritime Singapore **********

Decarbonising Domestic Harbour Craft and Pleasure Craft

MPA will set the target for the harbour craft and pleasure craft sectors to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in support of Singapore’s 2050 national net-zero target. To achieve this transition, from 2030, all new harbour craft operating in our port waters must be fully electric, be capable of using B100 biofuel, or be compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen.

To help the industry meet the 2030 requirement, MPA encourages the industry to consult with MPA on the owners’ electric, B100 or hydrogen compatible harbour craft designs early. The consultation process will be a compulsory requirement from 2027.

MPA will support the development of electrification technology through the following initiatives:

Pathways for Alternative Fuels

To prepare Singapore for a multi-fuel bunkering future, MPA has developed the world’s first marine biofuel provisional standard in consultation with the industry and researchers for biofuel blends of up to 50% or B50. This standard will be updated progressively as trials for biofuel blends of up to 100%, or B100 are carried out, and is expected to be completed by 2025. Singapore’s Maritime Energy and Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence will also be releasing the findings of its compatibility study on various biofuel types and percentage blends for our harbour crafts by end March 2023.

Aside from biofuels, MPA is exploring the use of hydrogen and ammonia to support the decarbonisation of international shipping. In December 2022, MPA and the Energy Market Authority launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to build, own and operate low or zero-carbon ammonia power generation and bunkering solutions on Jurong Island. The EOI is open until end April 2023.

Green and Digital Shipping Corridors

In August 2022, MPA signed a MOU with the Port of Rotterdam to establish the world’s longest “Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC)”. The corridor will pilot the deployment of digital solutions, support investment in green infrastructure, and develop enablers to accelerate low and zero carbon shipping. 

Singapore is actively engaging other like-minded ports and country partners to establish more corridors. Recently, MPA, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach and C40 Cities started discussions to establish a GDSC between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay port complex.

********** Future-Ready Maritime Talent **********

MPA has put in place several schemes to attract and develop a steady pipeline of maritime talent, who are equipped with the right skills and expertise as the industry transforms.

Internships, scholarships, and pre-employment training for undergraduates

Global Internship Award: Established by MPA in 2013, the Global Internship Award aims to help undergraduates better understand the international nature of the maritime industry. The 12-week programme gives selected undergraduates an opportunity to gain on-the-job experience working in a leading maritime company. It sponsors the undergraduate for an overseas attachment of up to six weeks in the overseas office of the company. More than 300 undergraduates have benefitted from the programme in the last ten years.

Scholarships: In 2022, 54 MaritimeONE scholarships, worth about S$1.7 million in value, were awarded. Since the launch in 2007, 524 recipients have received the scholarships. Additionally, 12 Tripartite Maritime Scholarships (TMSS) valued at about S$1 million were awarded in 2022 to seafaring cadets. Since the launch in 2002, more than 240 TMSS have been given out.

Work-Study Programmes: There are currently three maritime-related Work-Study Post-Diploma Programmes targeted at fresh Polytechnic graduates conducted by Singapore Polytechnic (SP), and a Work-Study Diploma by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). The programmes provide graduates with a head-start in their careers and deepens their skillsets in various roles including seafaring, port operations, cargo operations, and shipboard operations.

      i.         Port Management and Operations by SP

     ii.         Seafaring Deck Officer by SP

    iii.         Seafaring Marine Engineer by SP

   iv.         Work-Study Diploma-Maritime Business Management by ITE

Career conversion and mid-career development

Career Conversion Programme: The Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Sea Transport Professionals and Associates provides maritime and non-maritime mid careerists with skills conversion opportunities, to enable them to take on roles in Port Operations and Services, Shipping, and Maritime Services. Close to 220 Mid-Careerists have benefitted from the Career Conversion Programmes for Sea Transport since 2018.

Maritime Leadership Programme: Since its launch in 2021, more than 40 maritime professionals have attended the Maritime Leadership Programme (MLP). The MLP aims to hone participants’ leadership skills, build global perspectives on key maritime issues, and strengthen business networks locally and abroad. In 2022, MLP included, for the first time, an overseas site visit to the Port of Rotterdam. MPA will hold the third run of MLP this year.

Press Release MPA Singapore