MPA, Microsoft to boost maritime safety and sustainability

It plans to adopt cloud computing, AI, data analytics, robotics, and cybersecurity.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Microsoft announced a collaboration to support the adoption and development of digital and green solutions for the maritime industry.  

“MPA is pleased to work with the industry to create digital solutions and applications to address the key challenges in port operations and service delivery, safe navigation of ships, cybersecurity, and sustainability,” David Foo, MPA’s assistant chief executive (Operations Technology), said in a media release.

“The collaboration also supports goals for the maritime sector to innovate, reduce business costs and carbon emissions in alignment with the national and international emission targets,” Foo added.

This will also include technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, robotics, and cybersecurity. 

“MPA and Microsoft will trial the use of AI and digital twins to optimise vessel route planning to enhance safety and reduce emissions in maritime operations, as well as just-in-time arrivals to reduce the turnaround times for vessels in port,” the media release said.

“MPA and Microsoft will also train early adopters and upskill workers on how to use and implement these solutions for their operations,” it added.

Moreover, the said collaboration will leverage existing Microsoft products to co-develop solutions to support small and medium enterprises to help inform policies and decisions on climate risk assessment measures. 

Similarly, MPA also announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services in April to develop a maritime Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI–ML) Digital Hub.