The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and DNV GL have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) mapping out a three-year R&D collaboration.

The MoU covers key areas in decarbonisation and digital transformation and was signed by Quah Ley Hoon, chief executive of the MPA and Remi Eriksen, group president and ceo of DNV GL at the Global Maritime Forum in Singapore.

The agreement covers four main areas for R&D collaboration over the next three years. Firstly additive manufacturing for ship spares and blockchain technologies for port and shipping technologies; second research into low and zero carbon ship fuels such as bio-LNG and batteries; third autonomous and remote controlled ships; and fourthly thought leadership forums.

Quah from the MPA commented: “The operating environment ahead for the maritime industry will be defined by three trends – digitalisation, disruption and carbonisation. The unprecedented pace of change we face today would affect maritime trade flows, transform business models and impact our collective commitment to sustainability.”

While Eriksen said,” Decarbonisation and digitalisation are two important trends shaping the maritime industry. The agreements highlight the emphasis that MPA Singapore and DNV GL place on technological innovation and by working together we will unlock the potential of low and zero carbon shipping, autonomy as well as smart port ecosystems.”