Singapore and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formally collaborate on establishing the Singapore-Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).
Signed by Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance and the Hon Catherine King MP, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the MoU aims to build a corridor and accelerate maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation.
Under the MoU, both countries will work with interested partners to explore opportunities to develop zero or near-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission fuel supply chains for the maritime industry, including building necessary infrastructure, formalising standards, and developing and implementing the training requirements.
Areas of action
Areas to be actioned under the Corridor are expected to involve:
- exploring opportunities for a joint supply chain and logistics of zero or near-zero GHG emission fuels,
- developing training programs to safely handle zero or near-zero GHG emission fuels,
- supporting bunkering requirements and standards for vessels servicing the maritime route between the two countries,
- conducting test pilots and demonstration projects for bunkering zero or near-zero GHG emission fuels,
- collaborating in leveraging digital technologies to enable and enhance port call optimisation, and identifying opportunities for shared platforms, technologies or processes to streamlining port calls,
- exchanging information to enable just-in-time arrivals, departures, and marine services.
The MoU will also explore facilitating digital information exchange to enable efficient port clearance, port calls and flow of vessels between Singapore and Australia, and facilitate collaboration between the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Australian federal, state and territory governments, as well as industry stakeholders.
The signing of this MoU was welcomed by the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Australia during their 9th Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Melbourne on 5 March 2024.
Australia holds great potential to be a key producer of green marine fuels, and Singapore is the world’s largest bunkering and busiest transshipment hub port with a vibrant research and innovation ecosystem.
The collaboration is expected to help catalyse the development and uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies and the adoption of digital solutions to enhance the resilience, efficiency and sustainability of global maritime supply chains.
The MoU affirms the shared commitment of Singapore and Australia to pool our expertise and resources to develop scalable green and digital solutions for the maritime sector, and upskill our workforce to support the energy transition
… said Singapore’s Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat
In addition to the MoU, MPA and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), supported by Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), are working to collaborate on research and development, demonstration projects, and pilots under the Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low Emissions Technologies for Maritime and Port Operations (ASLET). First announced in 2021, the ASLET is aligned with and will support the Singapore-Australia GDSC outcomes.
This is an important partnership for a sustainable global maritime future. Australia is committed to supporting the decarbonisation of international shipping, which plays an important role in economies across the globe.
… commented Australian Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King
