Alternative Fuels

Singapore: MPA and RINA partner to establish technology demonstration centre

Partnership will also strengthen collaboration with Singapore’s research ecosystem, accelerating adoption of technologies such as low-carbon marine fuels, smart ships and battery systems.

Published

9 months ago

November 6, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday (6 November) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italian classification society RINA to establish a technology demonstration centre and collaborate on maritime innovation, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and talent development.

The partnership will also strengthen collaboration with Singapore’s research ecosystem, accelerating the adoption of technologies such as smart ships, low-carbon marine fuels, battery systems, and digital ports. These efforts aim to enhance Singapore’s maritime innovation ecosystem and support the sector’s transition towards smarter and more sustainable operations.

The MoU was signed on 5 November by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Carlo Luzzatto, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of RINA.

The technology demonstration centre will be part of RINA’s Open Innovation Hub in Singapore, and serve as a collaborative platform to co-create and trial innovative solutions for maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation.

It will support the development of remote and smart maritime systems, and provide integrated platforms to validate new technologies and accelerate their deployment in real-world operations.

Additionally, RINA will work with MPA to support maritime workforce development in Singapore by participating in industry manpower programmes and offering education, training, internship, and scholarship opportunities. These initiatives will prepare the next generation of maritime professionals with the skills needed for the digital and low-carbon transition.

Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said, “The MoU with RINA marks an important step in strengthening Singapore’s maritime innovation ecosystem. By working with international partners like RINA, as well as our local industry and research community, we aim to accelerate the testing and adoption of emerging technologies that will make the sector smarter, safer, and more sustainable.”

Mr Carlo Luzzatto, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, RINA, said, “We are honoured to partner with MPA. Scaling innovation and advancing sustainability are key priorities in our growth strategy, and this partnership aligns perfectly with those goals. By embracing an open approach with Singapore’s ecosystem, we aim to create value for its maritime sector and beyond.”

Photo credit: Scott Graham on Unsplash
Published: 6 November, 2025

Up Next

Singapore: Notice of intended dividend issued for Xihe Capital Pte Ltd

Don't Miss

Khalifa Port to gain LNG and LPG bunkering infrastructure as part of terminal hubs deal

Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

Published

2 minutes ago

July 22, 2026

Admin

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post.

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity.

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said.

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term.

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Published

1 day ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.

Published

1 day ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026