New Maritime Safety Centre to Train Seafarers in Singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) have renewed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in research and development, talent development, workforce upskilling, support for startup maritime businesses, and regulatory alignment.

As part of the five-year arrangement, ABS will establish the ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre, a facility designed to provide immersive training for seafarers and maritime professionals, in support of the MPA’s Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF). ABS is investing USD$4.5 million in the centre, which is expected to create new employment opportunities for the region.

By employing the latest training techniques, including virtual reality and game-based training systems, the ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre can simulate realistic training scenarios with varying levels of complexity, without putting the vessel or crew at risk.

Maritime professionals and students will have the opportunity to learn and acquire skills in the safe handling of alternative fuels, such as ammonia and methanol, as well as the deployment of battery and electric propulsion systems at the Centre.

Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “By combining expertise in R&D, talent development and workforce training, we are strengthening

Singapore as a global hub for maritime innovation and the upskilling of maritime professionals.”