Ports of Southampton and Singapore partner on green and digital shipping

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Port of Southampton have agreed to collaborate on green and digital shipping.

On March 17, the port authorities met and discussed various areas of potential cooperation regarding sustainable maritime transport. The discussions were in the context of the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework (UKSGEF).

Both sides agreed that cooperation between like-minded stakeholders across the maritime and port ecosystems of the UK and Singapore would be important to support the decarbonization, digitalization and growth of the maritime industry.

The partners also noted that the meeting paves the way for further discussions on green and digital shipping cooperation between Singapore and Southampton.

“It was great to welcome Chief Executive Teo Eng Dih and his colleagues to the Port of Southampton, the UK’s number 1 port for deep sea trade. We’re committed to driving progress in sustainability, as evidenced by our leading position as the UK’s first significant shore-power provider. Partnership between ports and with governments will be key in driving real change and today’s discussions between ourselves and MPA set a great foundation for sustainable maritime trade between our two ports,” Alastair Welch, ABP’s Regional Director for Southampton said.

“MPA thanks ABP for its hospitality. There is a strong base of collaboration between the UK and Singapore in maritime. Today’s discussion between the Port of Southampton, UK stakeholders and MPA was a good opportunity for us to address common challenges, learn from each other and exchange views on maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation. I look forward to a strong partnership in developing cost-effective solutions for the international shipping community,” Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said.

MPA Singapore recently signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to collaborate on various maritime digitalization and decarbonization initiatives. 

Under the LOI, both parties will consider the development of technical standards and unified requirements to ensure that new maritime solutions are safely implemented. The LOI will focus on key areas such as smart and autonomous ships, digitalization and cybersecurity, marine electrification, and the use of zero- and low-carbon fuels onboard vessels.