MPA Singapore to Enhance Safety at Sea with New Initiatives

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is set to embark on several new initiatives as part of continued efforts to enhance safety at sea, especially in the Port of Singapore.

A new maritime research Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS) will also be set up by Singapore Maritime Institute and Singapore Polytechnic to enhance navigational safety.

Singapore Polytechnic’s CEMS will focus on research and innovations that enhance navigational safety. It will contribute to the training and development of future-ready seafarers, through the use of emerging digital technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality.

Additionally, MPA Singapore said it would upgrade the Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) this year to capture vessel movements more efficiently and accurately. This includes improvements to the resolution of CCTV and video analytics capabilities, and expansion of the data bandwidth between the VTIS and radar stations to enhance situational awareness through ensuring high resolution radar plots.

MPA will also be investing $500,000 in the development of the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) over the next three years in an effort to facilitate real-time data transfer between shore and ships in the port.