The MPA Singapore signed two MoUs for Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing. An MoU with PSA, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) and 3D MetalForge will establish the world’s first on-site AM production facility for port applications; and. According to the second MoU, MPA will collaborate with NAMIC and the Singapore Shipping Association on an AM Joint Industry Programme (JIP) for marine parts.
The AM rapid production facility will be located at Pasir Panjang Terminal, where PSA is testing port technologies. It will include printers capable of producing AM parts for port equipment. The facility will also use a maritime digital cloud supported by Blockchain technology.
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The facility’s location also uses PSA’s parts supplier base and facility operations to support just-in-time inventory. This move aims to reduce the need to hold more than needed inventory, which limits storage costs, as well as turnaround time from weeks to days.
The collaboration is focused on creating the commercial viability, technical feasibility and regulatory compliance behind the use of AM for marine parts, and will establish an ecosystem of partners from across the value chain.
Andrew Tan, MPA’s Chief Executive, stated:
As a leading maritime hub, Singapore firmly believes that the maritime industry should embrace new technologies such as additive manufacturing. The digitalisation of the maritime sector in all its aspects is not a matter of how but when.
