The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Embassy of Norway in Singapore and Innovation Norway are jointly organising the Maritime Sustainability Forum at the Singapore Maritime Week 2016. Themed Smart Maritime Solutions and Overcoming Challenges, the inaugural edition offered insights into global challenges facing the maritime sectors, key trends, strategies and technological advancements in the areas of sustainable shipping, smart ports and maritime activities.
Mr Tormod C. Endresen, Norway’s Ambassador to Singapore, welcomed the audience of senior maritime executives and researchers from the region and beyond. Capt M Segar, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), MPA, was the keynote speaker, and addressed the audience on the challenges and opportunities in Maritime Singapore and shared MPA’s sustainability journey. Capt Segar also announced that MPA will be inviting the industry to submit project proposals relating to key themes of potential research, test-bedding, and product development under its MINT Fund. Priority will be given to projects aiming to develop innovative solutions under the following identified focus areas: Future Logistics, Drone Technology, Ballast Water, Emerging Frontiers, Data Analytics, and Harbourcraft Productivity. The call will open in May and close in August this year.
On 12 April 2016, MPA announced that it will commit a further S$50 million to the MINT Fund and extend its term to 2021. With the top-up, the total amount allocated to the fund will stand at S$200 million. Besides the top-up, other enhancements include the introduction of a new “MINT Product Development” scheme to promote local development of products and solutions for the maritime industry, an enhancement of its funding policies and guidelines, and an expansion of the Fund’s focus areas to include research in sub-focus areas such as Data Analytics, Modelling & Simulation, Autonomous Technologies and Sensors. These enhancements are in response to emerging technological developments and industry feedback, and place greater emphasis on translating R&D outputs into applicable products and solutions for the maritime industry.
The Maritime Sustainability Forum also saw the first presentation in the Asia Pacific of the Global Maritime Technology Trends 2030 by Lloyd’s Register, QinetiQ and the University of Southampton with a special presentation by Mr James Forsdyke, Asia Marine Sales & Marketing Manager, Lloyd’s Register. In his presentation, Mr Forsdyke shared on the transformative impact of technologies on ship design, naval power and use of ocean space.
Capt Segar. said that
“Norway and Singapore share many similarities; we are maritime nations, and both countries place a premium on innovation and leveraging technology to build sustainable industries. We are pleased to continue our close partnership with Norway as we jointly press ahead to innovate and develop smart and sustainable solutions to transform and boost the competitiveness of the maritime industry,”
“Norway and Singapore enjoy a long-time maritime collaboration that has strengthened both countries’ maritime technology and competence clusters. Through a strong focus on sustainability, our cooperation aims to prepare the industry to meet future challenges and environmental demands for shipping. For Norway, innovation and green technology is always high on our agenda. On this basis, we look forward to partner with Singapore to continue our efforts to deliver the most innovative and high tech solutions that benefits the maritime industry,” Ms. Torunn A. Taralrud, Director of Innovation Norway ended
Source: MPA Singapore
