Singapore leads the green maritime transition

Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore is driving co-operation to reduce emissions around Singapore’s waters and to provide alternative fuels to global shipping.

MPA chief sustainability officer Er Tham Wai Wah explained the decarbonisation initiatives, commitments and transition to greener maritime and port operations.

He said at Riviera Maritime Media’s Offshore Support Journal Conference, Asia conference on 12 September that digitalisation, automation and electrifying terminals in Singapore, such as the new container terminal in Tuas, is at the forefront of efforts to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The next stage is to introduce zero-emissions harbour craft to transfer pilots, personnel and cargo between shore and ships. As part of the sustainability plan, charging stations will be built around Singapore for these electric-powered vessels.

In September 2023, MPA started assessing the ability of the nation’s industry to design and engineer electric-powered harbour vessels and provide the technology to construct them.

This followed MPA’s call for industry partners to design full electric harbour craft in July 2023. “We need early adopters for these vessels and lower production costs,” said Mr Wah

MPA plans to have these vessels in operation within two years.