SINGAPORE has unveiled a new centralised data platform as part of its bid to accelerate the digital transformation of the city-state’s maritime sector. 

The data repository, dubbed Singapore Maritime Data Hub, or SG-MDH, will help to facilitate the co-development and test-bedding of digital applications and data-driven services to enhance the safety of navigation, operations efficiency and overall port productivity, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement on Tuesday amid a flurry of digitally focused announcements emerging as Singapore Maritime Week gets under way.

The MPA says it intends to develop SG-MDH as a global collaborative platform to enable cross-border digital connectivity and data sharing.

SG-MDH was unveiled last year as one key initiative of Singapore’s Maritime Transformation Programme.

The regulatory body has already made available via SG-MDH, public real-time access to ship-related data such as vessel information, vessel arrival and departure time and vessel position and movement.

It has previously said it intends to work with classification societies and maritime companies to make their public data available on SG-MDH.

Two Singapore-based start-ups have already tapped SG-MDH for the development of their digital applications.

Using SG-MDH’s vessel position data, SG Smart Tech’s SeaCabbie platform is capable of assigning the nearest available boat to users of its platforms.

Another Singapore start-up, Claritecs, has latched on to SG-MDH to monitor vessel arrivals and locations for the scheduling of bunker deliveries on a just-in-time basis. The BunkerMaestro platform offered by Claritecs aims to enhance utilisation of bunker fleet by up to 30% and increase operational efficiency by up to 50%.

MPA’s chief information officer Koh Chin Yong said: “A vibrant start-up eco-system will play a crucial role in accelerating the digital transformation of Singapore’s maritime industry and creating exciting opportunities for growth.”