To support Singapore’s ambition to be
“the top maritime startup hub in the world”, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has set aside $10 million from the Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund to support the growth and development of maritime technology startups in Singapore.
Under this expanded effort, MPA will also develop a digital technology marketplace and a startup playbook. The marketplace will connect maritime and venture capital companies with startups and facilitate discovery of solutions. The startup playbook serves as a comprehensive guide for startups to springboard into Singapore tapping on schemes and support programmes relating to talent, capital and R&D resources, according to MPA.
Photo: Pepi Stojanvski - Unsplash The environmental, social and governance (ESG) revolution in financing creates a unique opportunity for Singapore to demonstrate its leadership in the maritime sector, according to a ship finance expert.
Speaking at Capital Link’s Singapore Maritime Forum, Julian Proctor, CEO of Purus Marine said: “This is a phenomenal opportunity for Singapore to really take leadership when it comes to green finance. London is taking a lead in green finance but in Asia there really isn’t a financial capital that is showing that leadership. Given Singapore’s natural maritime complex and the skills surrounding that ecosystem, there is a unique opportunity for Singapore and the MPA (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore) to provide that leadership.”
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Oldendorff Carriers, together with global resources company BHP, advanced biofuels pioneer GoodFuels (GF) and with the support of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), has successfully conducted the first marine biofuel trial involving an ocean-going vessel bunkered in Singapore.
The vessel selected for the biofuel trial was one of the company’s eco-Kamsarmaxes, Kira Oldendorff. The 2020-built 81 290 DWT dry bulk carrier was bunkered with ‘drop-in’ advanced biofuel to be blended with conventional fossil fuels. Minor modifications were carried out to burn the biofuel blend efficiently, and monitoring instruments were installed to capture the trial data as accurately as possible.
10 Companies and One Individual Recognised for Contributions to Maritime Singapore at Singapore International Maritime Awards 2021
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) recognised 10 companies and an individual for their significant contributions to Maritime Singapore at this afternoon’s Singapore International Maritime Awards (IMA) 2021.
Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Transport, presented the awards in a hybrid event held both virtually and at Marina Bay Sands in conjunction with the 15th Singapore Maritime Week.
MPA received more than 200 nominations for the 11th edition of the biennial awards. This year’s award recipients included bunker suppliers, ship owners, maritime service providers and R&D technology firms. The judging panel also considered the resilience of nominees in adapting and contributing to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.