The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the People's Republic of China's Shandong Provincial Transport Department have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Singapore – Shandong Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).

MPA announced that the Singapore—Shandong GDSC will tap the growing trade and shipping volumes between the two economic centres, supported by their strong research and innovation ecosystems, to drive the adoption of green and digital solutions and the growth of the maritime industry between Singapore and the Bohai and Yellow Sea region.

Singapore is the world's largest bunkering hub and busiest transhipment seaport, and Shandong is a coastal province which hosts a key cluster of ports and shipyards along China's coastline, including Qingdao Port, which is among the world's busiest container ports.

Shandong is also China's second-most populous province, after Guangdong, with approximately 101 million people. It has the third-largest provincial economy in China, with a GDP of 9.2 trillion RMB (approximately US$1.29 billion) and a GDP growth of 6% in 2023.

"Under the MoU, MPA and the Shandong Provincial Transport Department will work with various stakeholders, including maritime administrations, port operators, maritime companies, institutes of higher learning, and shipyards, to promote digital and low-carbon initiatives for shipping," the announcement said.

It noted that focus areas include exploring collaboration in emerging technologies, training in safe handling of alternative fuels, knowledge sharing on shore power technologies, exchange of digital information to facilitate port clearances, and sharing of standards and best practices.

This MoU marks the second GDSC between Singapore and China following the Singapore – Tianjin GDSC established in 2023.

Teo Eng Dih, chief executive of MPA, and Gao Hongyan, deputy director of Shandong Provincial Transport Department, signed the MoU at the 25th Singapore – Shandong Business Council meeting held in Singapore.

The signing was witnessed by the co-chairmen of the Singapore- – Shandong Business Council, Chee Hong Tat, minister for transport and Second Minister for finance, and Zhou Naixiang, governor of the Shandong Provincial Government.