Singapore and Hamburg ink LOI on maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (27 September) said it signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) to deepen our partnership and accelerate maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation and cybersecurity. 

According to Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, the collaboration will build upon the long-standing bilateral partnership between Singapore and Germany, as affirmed in April 2024 when it was announced that Singapore and Germany will work towards upgrading relations to a strategic partnership.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Ministry of Transport, Dr. Amy Khor and the First Mayor of Hamburg, Dr. Peter Tschentscher. 

This includes cooperation in the maritime sector, such as in port efficiency, maritime safety, sustainability and cybersecurity. HPA, MPA and other port authorities enjoy regular dialogue on issues of common interest via MPA’s Port Authorities Roundtable initiative, HPA’s ChainPORT initiative, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and other platforms.

Through the LOI, MPA and HPA will collaborate in the following areas:

• Decarbonisation (a) Share information on the development and uptake of zero and near-zero emissions bunker fuels, including crew training and safety protocols for the handling and bunkering of such fuels; (b) Facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge for on-shore power supply;
• Digitalisation (a) Explore pilot projects to facilitate efficient port calls between the ports of Hamburg and Singapore; (b) Exchange information on port procedures and port systems involved for port clearance
• Cybersecurity (a) Facilitate the exchange of cybersecurity information including the establishment of operational links between the ports of Singapore and Port of Hamburg; (b) Provide cybersecurity training for maritime professionals and students.

In addition, following from discussions between MPA, maritime stakeholders and the Hamburg business delegation comprising representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, Hamburg Invest, Digital Hub Logistics (Digihub) that visited during Singapore Maritime Week 2024, a PIER71™-Digihub MOU was also signed between NUS Enterprise and Digihub. 

This collaboration will focus on start-up exchanges, pilot projects on innovation. 

Digihub, part of Germany’s broader Digital Hub initiative, is designed to foster digital innovations in logistics by providing a co-working space, networking opportunities and events that promote collaboration to support the growth of startups.

MPA looks forward to working with German partners and all Maritime Singapore stakeholders, to develop scalable solutions to benefit the global maritime community, in the move towards sustainable shipping.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 30 September, 2024