How Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority is crafting the vessel management system of the future

Singapore has big plans for its sea ports: by 2040, the country’s Tuas Mega Port will be the world’s largest fully automated port, as declared by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at last year’s National Day Rally. 

But just as important to the smooth running of the world’s top maritime capital are the waters that surround the port. In 2022, the country saw 37.3 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers passing through, making it the world’s busiest trans-shipment hub and the world’s second busiest port.

The port of the future needs a vessel management system of equal capabilities that can keep sea traffic safe and efficient. This is where the upcoming Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System (NGVTMS) developed by Singapore’s Maritime Port Authority will play a crucial role.

GovInsider speaks to David Foo, Assistant Chief Executive of Operations Technology at MPA, to better understand the benefits offered by the NGVTMS.

Artificial intelligence to drive efficiency and safety

The key difference between the NGVTMS system and the current Vessel Traffic Information System will be its deployment of artificial intelligence technologies that can predict collisions early and proactively manage traffic conditions.

Currently, there are more than 1000 vessels in our port at any one time, with a vessel moving in and out of the port every two to three minutes. This shipping density is only expected to increase over the next decades, says Foo.
 

With artificial intelligence, the NGVTMS will be able to identify traffic hotspots and predict potential collisions with greater accuracy. The system can then intervene by warning ships to avoid hotspots and to take alternate routes up to 30 minutes in advance.

“Before you travel, you try to avoid routes flagged red on Google Maps. This is a similar concept. If we can figure out where the hotspots are, we can advise captains to slow down or speed up to optimise their routes,” says Foo to Govinsider. 

These applications are currently in the prototyping phase lasting from 2023 to 2024, with prototypes being tested in a real-time sandbox operating environment before rollout in 2025.

The NGVTMS will also aim to account for advances in shipping services, such as unmanned autonomous ships, drone deliveries and robotic undersea services, says Foo. It will need to be able to identify, deconflict, and communicate with these unmanned vessels to prevent collisions.

High performance computing will play a critical role in quickly analysing data from multiple sensors, such as radar and video surveillance, and supporting time-sensitive decision-making, explains Foo.

5G for secure and reliable data exchange

For the NGVTMS to ascertain precise and real-time information on vessel movements, there will need to be secure and reliable real-time data transfers between ships as well as between ships and the port. 

“It’s not just about building digital systems, it’s about making sure you’ve got good connectivity between systems… With IMDA (Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority) and M1 (a local telco provider), we’ve built the biggest 5G network over port waters in the world,” says Foo.

This is why MPA will be establishing three maritime 5G base stations by the end of this year, with full maritime 5G coverage by mid-2025 spanning twelve stations.

5G can improve security and efficiency for docking ships. Traditionally, pilots have to go on board to help ships navigate safely as they come in, which takes up time and carries safety risks, explains Foo. With Maritime 5G, pilots will be able to counsel multiple ships on how to navigate into the port remotely, lowering the risk. 

This exchange of data can optimise not just vessel traffic, but port operations as well. Ships entering Singapore will be able to access and schedule the various services available at Tuas, such as bunkering, repairs and ship supplies, through the provision of real-time information. 

By improving efficiency within the port, this will also increase the efficient use of fuel and reduce unnecessary carbon emissions, Foo adds.

Cybersecurity foundations

To facilitate the secure sharing of data, a strong foundation of cybersecurity is needed. The NGTVS will be protected by multi-layered security measures that safeguards against data loss, breaches, and unauthorised system access.

This will ensure that NGTVS systems, from its sensors to its data sharing, will not be compromised, says Foo.

Foo also shared that MPA will be setting up a Maritime Cyber Assurance and Operations Centre by 2025 to facilitate the adoption of cybersecurity standards to all maritime players and raise the collective cyber resilience of the maritime sector.

The centre will provide real-time security monitoring, disseminate information on cyber threats early, and advise on system recovery measures to take following an incident. 

Continuous innovation

To keep innovation in the maritime space flourishing, MPA will be relaunching the Maritime Innovation Lab 2.0 this year to drive continuous innovation and research in the maritime space, says Foo.

“By co-hosting research institutions and the digital factory in the Maritime Innovation Lab 2.0, we are adopting the agile approach so that you get continuous innovation, continuous research,” Foo explains.

For example, the advanced algorithms within the NGVTMS were developed during a three-year innovation programme from 2018 to 2021 held at the Maritime Innovation Lab, which brought together process owners, tech providers, and experts to co-innovate and test-bed new concepts.

Now, Foo says one of the biggest challenges will be attracting young talent who can boost the maritime industry’s innovative capabilities and turn research findings into actual products.