MPA, Bureau Veritas renew partnership on digital, green tech

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Bureau Veritas (BV)

renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration in

maritime digitalisation, decarbonisation, and talent development.

The MoU was signed by MPA Chief Executive, Teo Eng Dih, and BV Group CEO,

Hinda Gharbi. This renewal has been built on the collaboration since 2022.

As part of the renewed MoU, MPA and BV will explore the establishment of a

BV global innovation hub in Singapore. The hub will focus on research and

application of emerging technologies with multi-industry impact.

These include cybersecurity standards and guidelines, and the design and

integration of new battery technologies and fuel cell systems.

Both parties will also work together on innovative digital and

decarbonisation solutions. These include smart ship systems, AI technologies to

enhance vessel inspection, and the use of robotics for in-water

applications.

Additionally, MPA and BV will promote the adoption of zero and near-zero

GHG emission fuels, electrification and wind-assisted propulsion. These

initiatives aim to strengthen Singapore’s MarineTech ecosystem.

Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, said: “Singapore has a strong innovation

ecosystem that brings together researchers, start-up entrepreneurs and tech

companies to collaborate with class societies such as BV to deploy AI, autonomy,

and cybersecurity.”

Hinda Gharbi, Group CEO of BV, said: “By combining MPA’s leadership in

maritime innovation with Bureau Veritas’s extensive global experience and

technical expertise, we aim to contribute to the advancement of sustainable and

resilient solutions.”

Last month, the Council and European Parliament reached a provisional

political agreement to sharpen and expand the mandate of the European Maritime

Safety Agency (EMSA), strengthening its role in ensuring maritime safety and

sustainability.

Additionally, the European SEANERGY project, which concluded in March, left

behind two new tools aimed at helping ports advance their energy transition

efforts—a master plan for decarbonisation strategies and a catalogue of emerging

technologies.