The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to collaborate on maritime projects involving technologies including cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, robotics, and cybersecurity.

MPA and Microsoft will pilot the use of AI and digital twins to optimize vessel route planning, enhancing safety and reducing emissions in maritime operations. They will also achieve just-in-time arrivals to reduce turnaround times for vessels in port.

The partners also plan to offer training for early adopters to upgrade workers' skills in using and implementing these systems. 

The two organizations will also work together to find common ground with MPA's cybersecurity capabilities for early detection of cyber threats. They will collaborate on developing new digital systems or utilizing existing Microsoft products to help small and medium enterprises improve energy efficiency in shipping operations.

MPA and Microsoft said this will include utilising the latter's digital modelling and simulation tools, and analytics capabilities, as well as building spatial models to help inform policy and decision-making on climate risk assessment and mitigation measures. 

"MPA's collaboration with Microsoft is a significant step towards strengthening Maritime Singapore’s digitalisation and sustainability efforts," said David Foo, MPA's assistant chief executive (operations technology).

"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," he added, noting that 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.

In April this year, MPA also announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services to develop a Maritime Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML) Digital Hub to pilot new AI capabilities for maritime use cases, including route and fuel optimisation, carbon emissions accounting, and just-in-time arrivals.