MPA and NYK forge partnership to Advance Maritime Sustainability, Digitalisation and Manpower Development
SINGAPORE/TOKYO : The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen their partnership and accelerate maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, and manpower development efforts. The MoU was signed by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, and Mr Takaya Soga, President and Group Chief Executive, NYK, on 2 July 2024.
2. In line with the International Maritime Organization’s revised Greenhouse Gas strategy 2023, the Paris Agreement, and international energy and climate targets, MPA and NYK will collaborate on various initiatives aimed at promoting a sustainable maritime industry. The partnership will include promoting the safe use of maritime fuels such as biofuels, methanol and low or zero-carbon ammonia through a phased approach.
3. Both parties will discuss maritime training programs for seafarers on ammonia-fuelled vessels and other sustainability-related skills and competencies to support the industry’s transition towards alternative low or zero- carbon fuels, including leadership programs for local professionals.
4. Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA said: “This MoU marks a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between MPA and NYK. As a major bunkering and a maritime hub port, Singapore is in a phase of introducing alternative fuels and enhancing manpower development. MPA looks forward to our partnership with NYK to unlock our collective potential and develop solutions that can be scaled up to benefit the global maritime community in the move towards smart and sustainable shipping.”
5. Mr Takaya Soga, President and Chief Executive Officer of NYK said: “NYK has been proactively working on decarbonisation initiatives, digitalisation, and maritime human resource development to materialise a sustainable maritime industry. We have begun ammonia-fuel-related business development including bunkering projects, endorsing the Singaporean government’s initiative on fuel ammonia. Singapore plays a significant role in the maritime industry as the world’s largest hub port for trans-shipment and bunkering. We are delighted to conclude this MoU with MPA as we share the same goals. This MoU will accelerate cooperation between MPA and NYK and contribute to the sustainable development of maritime industry.”
About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
MPA was established on 2 February 1996 with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre, and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore’s port and maritime development, taking on the roles of port authority, maritime and port regulator and planner, international maritime centre champion, national maritime representative and a champion of digitalisation and decarbonisation efforts at regional and international fora such as at the International Maritime Organization. MPA partners industry, research community and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our waters, facilitate maritime and port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and develops maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation policies and plans, R&D and manpower development. MPA is responsible for the overall development and growth of the maritime domain and Port of Singapore. In 2023, Singapore’s annual vessel arrival tonnage crossed 3 billion Gross Tonnage and remains the world’s busiest transshipment hub, with a total container throughput of 39.0 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
About Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) was founded in 1885 and is one of the world’s leading transportation companies. At the end of March 2023, the NYK Group was operating 811 major ocean vessels, as well as fleets of planes and trucks. The company’s shipping fleet includes 379 bulk carriers, 122 car carriers, 54 container ships (including semi-containerships), 86 LNG carriers (including those owned by equity method affiliates), 70 tankers, 36 wood-chip carriers, one cruise ship, and 99 other ships (including shuttle tankers and multipurpose and project cargo vessels). In March 2023, the NYK Group released its medium-term management plan, “Sail Green, Drive Transformations 2026 — A Passion for Planetary Wellbeing.” The NYK Group is promoting growth strategies with ESG at the core, based on the Group’s mission statement of “Bringing value to life” and a new corporate vision for 2030, which reads, “We go beyond the scope of a comprehensive global logistics enterprise to co-create value required for the future by advancing our core business and growing new ones.”