Singapore setting up research centre into autonomous ships

The establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Autonomous & Remotely Operated Vessels (CEAOPS) was announced at the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) forum on Wednesday.

The new centre aims to drive research and technology innovation required for the safe and efficient operations of autonomously and remotely operated vessels, as well as vessels equipped with smart maritime systems and solutions, in complex operating environments.

It is the first initiative funded under Singapore’s Maritime Transformation Programme and will be located within the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore.

Sanjay C. Kuttan, executive director of SMI, said, “The establishment of CEAOPS to further deepen Singapore’s capability in MASS (maritime autonomous surface ships) related research, by co-creating solutions together with the local R&D community and industry players, is a critical and purposeful step towards making Maritime Singapore MASS future ready.”

Quah Ley Hoon, chief executive of the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), said, “Digitalisation and new technologies will disrupt the future of the maritime industry and the evolution of MASS could potentially enhance global maritime trade more efficiently and safely in how we ship goods around the world.

“We are pleased to support the establishment of CEAOPS as it will enhance MPA’s efforts in establishing Singapore as a MASS Ready-Port and a leading technology cluster for MASS technologies.”