MPA Singapore Aims to Develop Innovation in Maritime Sector

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is offering new opportunities for start-ups in the maritime sector as part of its initiative to develop innovation.

MPA has launched the first Smart Port Challenge 2017 (SPC 2017) welcoming close to 190 registered participants from the technology, start-up and the venture capital (VC) community.

Building upon the last two Smart Port Hackathons driven by MPA in 2014 and 2015, SPC 2017 was conceived to encourage further collaboration between organisations and start-ups to push digital transformation in the maritime industry. The six-month programme will take a new approach with the involvement of industry partners providing funding and test-bedding opportunities in partnership with the VC community, according to MPA Singapore.

“Digital transformation has a key role to play in our competitiveness as a global maritime hub,” Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, said.

“SPC 2017 will bring together new and existing start-ups to research and develop innovative applications for IT solutions in the maritime sector and is part of our wider industry transformation effort to develop an innovative maritime start-up ecosystem to take advantage of the growing applications of automation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and data analytics in the maritime industry,” Tan added.

SPC 2017 partners include Batam Fast, CMA CGM, Hong Lam Marine, Jurong Port, Kanlian, NYK Line, Pacific International Lines, Port of Rotterdam, PSA Marine, PSA unboXed, Symphony Creative Solutions and Synergy Marine Group.