Asia/Pacific News
MPA Partners on Research Facility for Eco-Friendly Maritime Technologies
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) says it has partnered with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), and other industry partners to launch an advanced maritime energy test facility, intended for the development of "innovative eco-friendly maritime technologies."
Known as the Maritime Energy Test Bed, the facility is said to be intended to support the maritime industry in the context of stricter environmental regulations by "developing cleaner and more sustainable maritime energy solutions" in order to create more cost-efficient and competitive fleets.
The S$8 million ($5.73 million) facility, is reported to be jointly funded by SMI, which will contribute S$4.7 million ($3.37 million) over the next 10 years, and NTU, which is providing S$3.4 million ($2.43 million), along with support from industry leaders such as Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).
"The fruition of the Maritime Energy Test Bed represents a successful collaboration between the research sector and the industry, and is a timely development as the maritime sector looks to green and sustainable technologies to save on costs, mitigate the effects of climate change and address growing environmental regulations," said Andrew Tan, CEO of the MPA.
The Maritime Energy Test Bed is said to be intended to conduct research and development for alternative fuels and energy sources, efficiency boosting fuel additives, as well as other technologies for cleaner and fewer emissions.
"The maritime industry is a crucial economic pillar carrying about 90 percent of the world's trade. This new facility puts NTU at the forefront of global maritime energy research, developing sustainable maritime energy solutions and raising Singapore's maritime R&D capabilities and expertise," said Professor Lam Khin Yong, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Research at NTU.
"As Singapore is primarily a global trade hub, education and training are important aspects of the new Maritime Energy Test Bed at NTU.
"With highly skilled manpower, Singapore will be able to attract overseas investments to the nation's maritime industry," Lam added.
In May, the MPA announced that 30 undergraduate students had been awarded the MPA's Global Internship Award (GIA) for 2015, the largest number of recipients since the programme's inception in 2013.
