MPA Singapore, ClassNK Join Forces

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Japanese ship classification society, ClassNK,  signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Friday to collaborate on maritime technologies research and development (R&D) to enhance ship safety and environmental sustainability.

With the MOU, both organisations plan to promote and share maritime thought-leadership on technology through activities such as conferences, workshops and joint R&D projects.

The MOU will cover R&D in the following areas:

• Safe ships: Covering structural integrity and fatigue-related research for safe and reliable construction and operations of ships
• Smart ships: Applying data analytics to assist in real-time anomaly detection of machinery, real-time monitoring of emissions and condition-based monitoring of structures for ship and machinery operations
• Environmentally-friendly ships: Conducting applied research in emission control and alternative fuel engine technologies to reduce emissions
• Marine renewable energy: Developing tropical marine renewable energy test site and tidal energy generation, energy storage systems for shore power supply, material bio-fouling studies and live-monitoring of the maritime ecosystem using telemetry and wireless communications

“We are happy to partner ClassNK on this important initiative to jointly develop innovative solutions and tools addressing ship safety, emission control and marine renewable energy. The signing of this MOU is a reflection of the emphasis we place on innovation and R&D, and signifies a shared vision to make the industry safer, more efficient and greener,” said Mr Andrew Tan, MPA Chief Executive.

The signing ceremony also marked the opening of the new ClassNK Global Research and Innovation Centre (GRIC), ClassNK’s first research center outside of Japan.

GRIC is set to carry out research with industry, academia, and government agencies in Singapore and from around the world, including the development of an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS), a feasibility study for marine renewable energy test sites in Singpore, and a pilot scale demonstration for Zero-Emission Desulphurization process for Maritime applications (ZEDSMart).

The MOU signing builds upon recent collaborative projects with ClassNK undertaken in the field of maritime R&D and co-sponsored by MPA under its Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund.