The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is taking four major steps to continue growing the maritime cluster as Singapore moves to the next level of its growth as a global maritime hub.
MPA said these measures are to strengthen the connectivity and inter-linkages of the maritime cluster, build a vibrant innovation ecosystem, develop a future-ready and skilled maritime workforce, and enhance and top up the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) by SGD100 million.
Fortifying connectivity
To boost physical connectivity, MPA will continue to work with port operator PSA to invest in port capacity and infrastructure to meet the industry’s long-term needs. By the first quarter of this year, Pasir Panjang Terminal Phases 3 and 4 will be fully operational, bringing the total port capacity to 50 million twenty-foot equivalent units.
Reclamation works for the first phase of Tuas Terminal are also progressing well. A total of 166 out of 221 caissons for Phase 1 have been installed, and the last caisson will be installed by early 2019, said MPA.
Concurrently, PSA is testing out its new automated terminal operation systems involving the automated guided vehicles, yard and quay cranes, with the view of deploying such systems at the future Tuas Terminal.
To boost non-physical connectivity, MPA will continue to expand the range of maritime services available in Singapore. Besides encouraging existing players to set up new business activities, MPA will promote the growth of non-traditional players such as maritime technology enterprises like Alpha Ori and Metcore.
MPA will also co-fund the cost of shared workspaces and services to encourage expertise and resource sharing between maritime companies. In the longer term, MPA, PSA, and other government agencies will experiment with inter-modal logistics and explore the setting up of a port and logistics cluster at Tuas, which could spur the development of more efficient systems for supply chain management.
Building a robust ecosystem
For a vibrant and innovative ecosystem, MPA will launch the Maritime Transformation Programme (MTP) and set up the Singapore Maritime Data Hub (SG-MDH) to create an enabling ecosystem that fosters innovation and R&D in the maritime sector.
For rollout over the next few months, the MTP will build new capabilities and capture new growth areas for the maritime industry. The MTP will deepen Singapore’s maritime R&D capabilities in four focus areas: efficient and intelligent world-class next generation port; smart autonomous vessel and maritime operations; strategic sea space and maritime traffic management; and effective maritime safety and security.
Meanwhile, to promote data sharing, MPA will establish the SG-MDH, a one-stop data repository with a centralized application programming interface gateway and data management capabilities. SG-MDH will help enable the development and test-bedding of innovative digital apps and services for the maritime industry.
SG-MDH will also serve as a collaborative platform for technology companies, startups and maritime stakeholders to co-develop innovative data-driven maritime solutions.
As a start, the SG-MDH will make available to the public real-time access to MPA’s port and ship-related data such as vessel information, vessel arrival and departure time, and vessel position and movement by the third quarter of 2018.
“MPA will work with stakeholders such as classification societies and maritime companies to make their public data available via the SG-MDH, and will also look to integrate the SG-MDH with the National Trade Platform and other industry-wide and government systems,” said the authority.
Strengthening maritime workforce
MPA will continue to invest in Singapore’s maritime workforce. It will roll out a new Global Talent Programme (GTP) by 2019 to groom a pipeline of local maritime talent for future leadership and management positions. MPA will co-fund 70% of eligible expenses incurred by companies which are prepared to commit to training local talent through structured rotations and overseas attachments.
MPA aims to partner up to 20 maritime companies with a strong focus on human capital development under GTP over the next seven years, it said.
Topping up MCF
Finally, the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) will now be used to co-fund proofs of concept relating to the conceptualization of new products or services. MPA will top up the MCF by SGD100 million to implement plans under the Next Generation Port 2030, the International Maritime Centre 2030 and the Sea Transport Industry Transformation Map. The MCF is expected to support about 30 new projects, and benefit some 5,000 people annually.
Photo: cegoh
