Singapore and Norway Sign Maritime MOUs

The announcement follows Singapore Maritime Week, which concluded last week.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Research Council of Norway (RCN) have signed 2 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which renew maritime co-operation between the 2 nations.

The agreement, which comes in the wake of last weeks Singapore Maritime Week, was described by Singapore company registration specialist, Rikvin, as "a testament to Singapore's commitment to building a stronger maritime sector through R&D and cleantech application".

The first of the 2 MOUs, called MPA-RCN, is the fifth renewal of a deal which dates back to 2000.

It aims to further maritime research and development (R&D), education, and training efforts for another three years

A notable collaboration facilitated by the MOU has been between the MPA and Det Norske Veritas' Clean Technology Centre (DNV CTC), with DNV CTC embarking on Joint Industry Projects to study the potential of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in South East Asia, as well as a feasibility assessment on LNG bunkering.

RCN director-general Mr Arvid Hallén said, "An increasing number of Norwegian maritime companies have established their presence with headquarters for operation and strategic coordination in Singapore in the last few years."

"Norwegian R&D institutes and universities see Singapore as a strong collaboration knowledge hub for the future development into the Asian market," he added.

Green Technology

GMIC will provide facilities for maritime "green technology" companies.

The second MOU, signed between MPA, Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) and BW Ventures (BWV) and called the Maritime Environment and Clean Energy (MECE) Memorandum of Understanding, aims to promote sustainable maritime-related research and development in Singapore.

As part of the agreement, BWV will develop the Green Marine Innovation Center (GMIC).

The GMIC will provide shared resources, research and development personnel, and laboratory facilities for maritime "green technology" companies.

"We believe that the setting up of the GMIC by BWV in Singapore will grow the capabilities of local tertiary and research institutions as well as local technology companies in the area of green technologies," said Lam Yi Young, MPA's chief executive.

Over the next 5 years, BWV and the MPA will each give S$5 million for GMIC-driven projects, while SMI will contribute funding for R&D projects led by local research and educational institutions.