Singapore’s Maritime Port Authority (MPA) and DNV GL have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the decarbonisation and digital transformation of the maritime industry. Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive, MPA, and Remi Eriksen, Group President & CEO, DNV GL, recently signed the MoU in Singapore. The MPA and DNV GL have been working together since 2014 to drive innovation in the maritime industry.
The three-year MoU covers many of the most important emerging trends within the maritime industry, including new maritime business and operation models utilising additive manufacturing for ship spares, digital ledger technologies for port and shipping processes, low and zero carbon ship fuels, maritime battery and battery-hybrid applications, autonomous and remote-controlled ships, and shore-based operation and control centres.
“The operating environment ahead for the maritime industry will be defined by three trends – digitalisation, disruption and decarbonisation. The unprecedented pace of change we face today can impact maritime trade flows, transform business models and impact our collective commitment to sustainability. These demands present the global maritime community with opportunities to come together and cooperate,” commented Ms Quah Ley Hoon.
“Decarbonisation and digitalisation are two important trends shaping the maritime industry. This agreement highlights the emphasis that MPA Singapore and DNV GL place on technological innovation and by working together we will unlock the potential of low and zero carbon shipping, autonomous vessels, and smart port ecosystems,” said Remi Eriksen.
In conjunction with the MoU signing, a report arising from a six-month long study conducted by DNV GL in partnership with MPA, the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster was presented during the signing event. It highlighted that the potential use of additive manufacturing in printing marine supply parts could reduce logistics and inventory costs, improve service quality in the maritime industry, and augment Singapore’s role as an innovative and competitive hub port.
Together with members of the SSA, which includes ship owners, operators, and ship management companies, DNV GL developed an “AM Potential Matrix” for the 100 most commonly ordered marine parts in Singapore, which reflects the economic viability, technical feasibility and regulatory requirements of using AM technology for each part. Following on from the study, MPA and DNV GL will also work with industry partners to print, test and install selected marine parts identified through this study on vessels.