MPA, DNV continue joint push toward a digital, low-carbon maritime future

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore) and Oslo-headquartered classification society DNV have given fresh life to their long-standing collaboration focused on accelerating the development of a smart, greener and future-proof maritime sector.

As announced on November 10, MPA Singapore and DNV renewed their memorandum of understanding (MoU) that aims to ‘bolster’ cooperation in maritime sustainability, digital innovation and talent development. The document was signed at a recent Singapore-Norway conference.

Under the terms of the agreement, MPA and DNV will reportedly work together to push forward research and development (R&D) efforts, innovation and test-bedding projects, including (but not limited to) joint industry collaborations concerning remote vessel operations with local maritime communities and tertiary as well as research institutions.

More specifically, according to MPA Singapore, the partnership will place particular focus on speeding up the application of zero- and near-zero-emission fuels, support decarbonization-oriented technological solutions and ‘advance’ smart ship systems.

As explained, both organizations are also set to cooperate on industry training and talent development via efforts like the Maritime Innovation Committee, PIER71, and Smart Port Challenge, with the all-embracing goal being nurturing the next generation of maritime professionals in Singapore.

To remind, the renewal of the memorandum of understanding follows earlier partnerships that were set up in 2019 (first drafted in 2014) and then in 2022.

At the time, Kenneth Lim, who was Assistant Chief Executive (Industry and Transformation), MPA Singapore, and Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, who was the Regional Manager South-East Asia, Pacific & India, Maritime at DNV, shook hands on a three-year extension of the cooperation between the two parties.

That said, the Norwegian classification society’s endeavors in Singapore go beyond the collaboration with the MPA.

To remind, at the very end of August this year, DNV penned another MoU with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), renewing the partnership to explore deeper opportunities in maritime education, applied research, and innovation within the decarbonization, digitalization and talent development landscapes. This agreement also builds on an existing relationship that was initiated back in 2022.