Under the auspices of this year’s Singapore Maritime Week, MPA Singapore signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Port of Rotterdam to further strengthen their efforts on the Rotterdam- Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.
This follows the success of the corridor as a driving force of maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation since its inception in 2022.
The two ports have since brought together 28 partners across the entire container shipping value chain to drive the deployment of sustainable fuels on the 15,000-kilometer shipping route and implement digital solutions for improved efficiency.
To support the decarbonisation of shipping, the collaboration focused on testing and accelerating the adoption of sustainable fuels, with the aim of making them available, accepted and affordable for large-scale use. Emphasis will be on bio- and e-variants of ammonia, methanol, and methane, with working groups established for each fuel type.
On the digital front, the two ports have successfully trialled the exchange of port-toport data to exchange vessel arrival and departure timestamps. In support of digital initiatives by the IMO, this effort aims to optimise vessel arrival planning and port operations between Singapore and Rotterdam.
Both ports have also established ship-to-shore data exchange infrastructure to enable efficient and secure submission of port clearance information. This saves time and minimises data entry errors through automated data filling. The first phase to trial the use of global standards and digital solutions began in March 2025, with an enhanced solution scheduled for testing in the second half of 2025.
The continued progress through the Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor is testament to the role of publicprivate collaboration to bring decarbonisation and digitalisation initiatives from ideas to implementation.
…Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said, while Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam added that the Rotterdam-Singapore Green & Digital Shipping Corridor has helped to make first, valuable steps towards the decarbonisation of international shipping while also improving efficiency of trade and setting new industry standards.
Furthermore, on Friday, 21 March 2025, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation. This joint initiative will strengthen the partnership between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and MPA and reaffirms the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in addressing global maritime challenges.
This MOU provides a framework for Port of Antwerp-Bruges and MPA to exchange information and explore collaboration in key areas of maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, emphasized that the MoU is a significant step in the energy and digital transition, reinforcing the port’s commitment to sustainability, security, and knowledge exchange through partnerships with MPA.
Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), highlighted the collaboration’s role in advancing maritime decarbonization and digitalization. He stressed that cooperation and knowledge-sharing are essential for driving innovation and sustainability in the sector.
Johan Klaps, Vice-Mayor for the Port and Economy of the City of Antwerp and President of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, expressed enthusiasm for strengthening ties with MPA. He noted that both ports share common challenges and that deeper collaboration will support their growth into high-performing, environmentally friendly economic hubs.
