The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Port of Rotterdam on Tuesday (25 March) said they have signed a Cooperation Agreement to further strengthen their efforts on the Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor. 

This follows the success of the corridor as a driving force of maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation since its inception in 2022.

The two ports have since brought together 28 partners across the entire container shipping value chain to drive the deployment of sustainable fuels on the 15,000-kilometer shipping route and implement digital solutions for improved efficiency. 

The collective ambition is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of large container vessels on the corridor by 20-30% by 2030, while accelerating the adoption of global standards and solutions to facilitate efficient port calls, flow of goods, and enable paperless handling.

To support the decarbonisation of shipping, the collaboration focused on testing and accelerating the adoption of sustainable fuels, with the aim of making them available, accepted and affordable for large-scale use. Emphasis will be on bio- and e-variants of ammonia, methanol, and methane, with working groups established for each fuel type.

Since 2022, several first-mover pilot projects have been carried out, including the first successful bunkering of mass-balanced liquefied bio-methane at the Port of Rotterdam. A similar trial is planned in Singapore in 2025. 

Other achievements include the completion of a Life Cycle greenhouse gas Assessment (LCA) of green ammonia as a marine fuel, and strong support for the development and implementation of the Port Readiness Framework of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), which helps ports assess their preparedness to supply sustainable marine fuels.

In the next phase, the partners plan to conduct further studies and trials for the bunkering of bio-methane, methanol and ammonia to support their future use along the shipping corridor. They also aim to develop and mobilise financial instruments to address the cost barriers associated with using low- and near-zero emission fuels.

On the digital front, the two ports have successfully trialled the exchange of port-toport data to exchange vessel arrival and departure timestamps. In support of digital initiatives  by the IMO, this effort aims to optimise vessel arrival planning and port operations between Singapore and Rotterdam. 

Both ports have also established ship-to-shore data exchange infrastructure to enable efficient and secure submission of port clearance information. This saves time and minimises data entry errors through automated data filling. The first phase to trial the use of global standards and digital solutions began in March 2025, with an enhanced solution scheduled for testing in the second half of 2025.

Both government and industry partners are at Singapore Maritime Week to advance the discussions and work on realising the goals of the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said, “The continued progress through the Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor is testament to the role of public private collaboration to bring decarbonisation and digitalisation initiatives from ideas to implementation.”

“We look forward to collaborating with more partners to bring impact to one of the world’s busiest shipping routes and accelerate the decarbonisation and digitalisation of the shipping industry.”

Mr Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, said, “By bringing together parties across the entire value chain, the Rotterdam-Singapore Green & Digital Shipping Corridor has helped to make first, valuable steps towards the decarbonisation of international shipping while also improving efficiency of trade and setting new industry standards.”

“At the same time, we still have a lot of work ahead of us and we are looking forward to continue our work on this together with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.”

Related: SMW 2024: Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor partners to implement first-mover pilot projects

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 March, 2025

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on Tuesday (25 March) renewed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in research and development, talent development, workforce upskilling, support for startup maritime businesses, and regulatory alignment. 

The renewal marked a comprehensive and future-oriented collaboration that continues to strengthen Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub while advancing ABS’ strategic initiatives in Singapore.

As part of the five-year arrangement, ABS will establish the ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre, a cutting-edge facility designed to provide immersive training for seafarers and maritime professionals, in support of the MPA’s Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF).

ABS is investing USD$4.5 million in the centre, which is expected to create new employment opportunities for the region.

By employing the latest training techniques, including virtual reality and game-based training systems, the ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre can simulate realistic training scenarios with varying levels of complexity, without putting the vessel or crew at risk.

Maritime professionals and students will have the opportunity to learn and acquire skills in the safe handling of alternative fuels, such as ammonia and methanol, as well as the deployment of battery and electric propulsion systems at the Centre.

Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, said: “The maritime industry’s transition to net zero demands not only innovation but also a workforce equipped to deliver all of the advances in technology and fuel without compromising safety.”

“Through this expanded collaboration with MPA, ABS is committed to advancing research and development, nurturing talent, and delivering world-class training that empowers seafarers and shore-based professionals alike in the safe operation of next generation assets.”

“Singapore’s leadership in maritime sustainability makes it the ideal partner for this critical mission. ABS is proud to support the transformational METF project and honoured to be selected as a partner.”

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “The renewal of MPA’s MOU with ABS underscores our shared vision for a sustainable and future-ready maritime sector.”

“By combining expertise in R&D, talent development and workforce training, we are strengthening  Singapore as a global hub for maritime innovation and the upskilling of maritime professionals. MPA looks forward to our continued collaboration with ABS and the addition of the ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre to the METF suite of training capabilities.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 March, 2025

Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai on Monday (24 March) said Singapore will launch a new standard for electric harbour crafts this week as part of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) efforts in facilitating decarbonisation for domestic harbour craft to achieve the republic’s national target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“MPA and Enterprise Singapore will launch the new Technical Reference 136 this week to provide guidelines for the development and operation of charging and battery swap systems for electric harbour craft,” Murali said during his speech at the opening ceremony of the Singapore Maritime Week 2025 (SMW 2025). 

“This will enhance the safety and interoperability of electric harbour craft charging infrastructure.”

This is one of the initiatives MPA is undertaking to prepare for the bunkering of alternative marine fuels and decarbonising Singapore’s domestic maritime sector.

The minister said Singapore is taking steps to support the use of various fuels by the industry and position Singapore as a leading bunkering hub for alternative fuels.

“Over the past two years, we have supported trials of alternative fuels such as ammonia and methanol. These have contributed to the development of new technical references and IMO guidelines to enable the safe and efficient use of these marine fuels,” he said.

“MPA and Enterprise Singapore published the new Technical Reference 129 on Methanol Bunkering earlier this month, and we plan to launch a new standard for ammonia bunkering later this year.”

He added MPA has also recently allowed licensed bunker tankers to carry and deliver biofuels up to B30. 

“Pilots for up to B100 are ongoing, and we welcome bunker suppliers to engage in these pilots,” he said.

At the opening ceremony of SMW 2025, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with Murali, also launched Singapore’s first Maritime Digital Twin, an advanced simulation model developed by MPA in partnership with the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) that integrates real-time data to enhance decision-making and improve management of maritime operations in Singapore waters.

Murali said the digital twin will integrate data from different sources and provide a platform for information sharing. This will enable the development of tools to optimise port efficiency and reliability above, at and below the sea surface.

“For example, the digital twin will enable scenario simulations and dispersion modelling, which can inform standard operating procedures for the safe bunkering of alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia,” he said.

The minister added MPA will roll out the digital twin to pilot users later this year, before progressive implementation for the wider industry. 

“In future, we can extend this to the global maritime ecosystem through our Green and Digital Shipping Corridors with other countries and ports,” he said. 

Related: Singapore-registered bunker tankers can transport up to B30 biofuels from 7 March
Related: Singapore releases new standard on methanol bunkering, gears up for multi-fuel future

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 24 March, 2025