To strengthen the maritime technology (MarineTech) ecosystem, The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) renewed their partnership through enhanced and new innovation initiatives and startup programmes for another three years. Under this partnership, MPA and NUS will expand the scope of the PIER71™ (Port Innovation Ecosystem Reimagined @ BLOCK71) initiative to better support Singapore’s growing maritime technology or MarineTech start-up ecosystem.
This joint partnership is a strong combination with MPA bringing the maritime industry roadmap and strategic direction, and NUS bringing our world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem, know-how and global network. Together, we have built a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, maritime veterans and experts, investors, researchers and more.
– Professor Freddy Boey, Deputy President (Innovation and Enterprise), NUS
The new programme components are aimed at strengthening the growth of MarineTech start-ups, attracting more investments, supporting internationalisation and increasing tech solution deployment to the maritime industry. They include:
- a) PIER71™ Ascend – A 12-month, by-invite only scale-up programme, with curated masterclasses, industry networking sessions, and an immersion programme aimed at connecting start-ups to overseas markets and government stakeholders, as well as prospective maritime customers. Promising scale-ups can also apply for grant support of up to S$100,000 to scale their solutions, under MPA’s MINT-STARTUP scheme.
- b) Investor Connection – Structured pitching and Venture Capital (VC) networking events will be organised for start-ups to gain access to investors and capital. This aims to increase the amount of investment into PIER71™ and partner programmes’ alumni.
Solutions addressing the safety and well-being of maritime personnel featured strongly this year, in line with the increased attention paid by the industry on this focus area. Other innovative solutions include the application of artificial intelligence, data analytics and robotics to optimise the global
As Maritime Singapore emerges from the pandemic, we are going for growth. Our ambition to be a leading MarineTech hub is a key driver of this growth. Through MPA and NUS’s renewed partnership and new initiatives, we will support MarineTech companies with access to markets, technology, funding, and talent, to enable good ideas to become scalable solutions.
– Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Transport
The impact that PIER71™ has made in growing the maritime innovation ecosystem to where it is today, is a testament to the synergies between MPA and NUS. The renewal of the partnership will bring on new initiatives that align with the strategic direction of attracting talent, technologies and investments that will strengthen the maritime sector’s ability to create new ventures as well as a more efficient and sustainable global supply chain.
As reported by OpenGov Asia, MPA aims to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests. MPA partners with the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.
Hence, MPA partnered with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to launch The NextGEN (Green and Efficient Navigation) portal, an online collaborative global ecosystem of maritime transport decarbonisation initiatives. The online portal aims to encourage information-sharing, create critical networks and opportunities for collaboration, and facilitate capacity-building.
The platform facilitates information sharing on decarbonisation initiatives across stakeholders in the maritime value chain. It also identifies opportunities and gaps for decarbonisation in the global shipping community. Overall, the online portal will serve as a focal point and reference tool for both public and private stakeholders by showcasing the universe of maritime decarbonisation projects on a single platform.
