ClassNK, MPA of Singapore Collaborate on Marine Energy

Classification society ClassNK and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote research and development (R&D) and innovation in the maritime industry.

The MOU was signed by Mr. Andrew Tan, MPA Chief Executive, and Mr. Yasushi Nakamura, ClassNK Representative Director, Executive Vice President.

Over the next five years, ClassNK and MPA will jointly foster maritime thought leadership on technology through conferences and workshops, and carry out R&D projects focused on enhancing ship safety and environmental sustainability in four main areas:

•  Safe ships: Fatigue-related research and evaluation of structural integrity for safe and reliable construction and operations of ships
•  Smart ships: Data analytics to assist in real-time anomaly detection of machinery, real-time monitoring of emissions and condition-based monitoring of structures for ship and machinery operations
•  Environmentally-friendly ships: Applied research in emission control and alternative fuel engine technologies to achieve reductions in SOx, NOx, and particulate matter
•  Marine renewable energy: Research on developing a tropical marine energy test site and tidal energy generation, material biofouling studies, and energy storage systems for shore power supply.

The signing ceremony also marked the opening of the new ClassNK Global Research and Innovation Center (GRIC), ClassNK’s first research center outside of Japan.

GRIC will carry out research with industry, academia, and government agencies in Singapore and from around the world on various projects such as the development of an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS), a feasibility study for a marine renewable energy test site in Singapore, and a pilot scale demonstration for Zero-Emission Desulphurization process for Maritime applications (ZEDSMart).

Image: ClassNK