The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has announced the Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF) Digital Platform, an initiative to help the global maritime workforce access training in the safe handling of alternative marine fuels and new technologies. The prototype platform was showcased today at the “Accelerating Digitalisation and Decarbonisation Conference” at Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) and will be ready by the second half of 2025.  

2. The METF was first introduced at SMW 2024 as part of Singapore’s efforts to advance maritime decarbonisation and workforce development. Since then, MPA has engaged training providers, shipping companies, and maritime associations to align training standards with industry needs. These efforts have led to the development of the METF Digital Platform, a training management system that simplifies access to training, streamlines certification issuance, and ensures alignment with evolving international standards. 

3. The METF Digital Platform offers maritime companies, seafarers and maritime professionals a systematic and easy way to find relevant courses, register and pay for them. Training progress and certifications received can also be tracked through the platform, helping both companies and individuals monitor compliance with the relevant industry and regulatory standards. By streamlining administrative processes such as training grant eligibility and certification management, the platform reduces the administrative burden on maritime companies and makes training easily accessible for seafarers and maritime professionals. The platform is currently offered to Singapore-based maritime companies and/or Singapore-registered ships. This would be extended to more companies and stakeholders, including those based overseas, in the next phase.

4. The prototype is undergoing testing and validation with a group of industry pilot users. 

5. In February 2025, the International Maritime Organization’s Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping Sub-Committee began work to develop interim guidelines for training   seafarers in handling alternative marine fuels and new technologies. MPA contributed by proposing draft training guidelines for the safe handling of methanol and ammonia, drawing on Singapore’s experience in competency frameworks, proficiency standards, and training programme development. This included the basic and advanced training for handling of methanol as fuel for maritime personnel by the Singapore Maritime Academy. The METF Digital Platform will support the practical implementation of such courses, ensuring seafarers have access to training that meets evolving international safety and operational requirements.   

6. The MaritimeSG LowCarbon50 Awards Ceremony was held for the fourth year today. The Award recognises companies that have done well in carbon accounting and taken significant steps to reduce emissions and decarbonise.

 

7. This year, six winners were conferred the Award, and there were eight Honourable Mentions. Please refer to the Annex for more details. Companies’ submissions were evaluated by a panel comprising members from MPA, GCNS, and industry associations, based on the quality of their carbon accounting using the Carbon Emissions Recording Tool (CERT), and their emissions reduction measures.

 

8. The Award is a collaboration under the Carbon Management MoU signed between MPA, the UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS), and various industry associations, namely the Association of Regional Ferry Operators (ARFO), the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI), the Singapore Association of Ship Supplies and Services (SASS), and the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA). The Maritime SG LowCarbon50 Programme is another initiative under this MOU. In 2024, around 60 participants from about 30 companies took part in workshops under this Programme to strengthen their carbon management practices.

9. In the lead up to SMW 2025, MPA and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) held the 2nd edition of the Maritime Green Finance Industry Sharing Series. This was a capacity-building workshop with more than 70 participants, including Singapore-based shipping financiers, shipowners, and ship operators. The workshop highlighted the role of the Singapore-Asia Taxonomy (SAT) as a practical guide for stakeholders to identify and allocate capital to green and transition maritime activities and discussed potential use cases where SAT can be used in maritime financing.