Singapore Maritime Institute 2019 Forum

Themed “Maritime Transformation: Risks, Challenges and Rewards”, the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) Forum on 9 October 2019 brought together the maritime ecosystem to discuss the essential elements of building a strong maritime innovation ecosystem to enable the transformation of Singapore’s maritime sector.

Mr Frederick Chew, CEO of A*STAR, gave the keynote address where he touched on how R&D and the continued collaboration between various stakeholders in the maritime sector is crucial. The Forum also featured panel discussions on topics pertinent to the industry. The Executive Director of A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing, Dr Lim Keng Hui, moderated the discussion on next generation communication.

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Autonomous & Remotely Operated Vessels (CEAOPS). CEAOPS is the first research initiative to be funded under the Maritime Transformation Programme, and will be the national focal point for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) R&D, leading the way for the safe and efficient operations of autonomously and remotely operated vessels, as well as vessels equipped with smart maritime systems and solutions, in complex operating environments. The initiative is supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, National Research Foundation and SMI.

CEAOPS will be housed in the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), a joint initiative between A*STAR and NUS. It will further deepen Singapore’s capability in MASS related research, by co-creating solutions together with the maritime ecosystem and play a big role in making the local maritime sector future ready.

Click here for the full version of Mr Frederick Chew's speech.