Page 15 - SG Nautilus Issue 47.indb

ISSUE 47 PAGE 13

SPECIAL FEATURE

stabilising the economy and positioning Singapore 3D-printed face shields produced by local start-up Siege
for recovery. Maritime players benefi ted from rental Advanced Manufacturing were presented to signing-off
rebates and licence fee waivers, all of which helped seafarers for their additional protection on their journey
kept businesses afl oat. home. F-Drones, another local start-up, remotely and
To provide further fi nancial support, MPA rolled digitally conducted a shore-to-ship delivery, in which
out a S$27 million MaritimeSG Together Package care packs for seafarers were delivered to a vessel
on May 1. The package included further fi nancial using drones. These events demonstrated the long-
support for maritime companies, such as port term potential of harnessing new technologies for
dues concessions, rebates on counter rentals and new growth opportunities while enhancing the safety
overnight berthings, greater support for upskilling of seafarers.

and digital transformation efforts, as well as fi nancial Observing that seafarers have been working
and employment support for Singaporean seafarers. tirelessly to keep Singapore’s ports open and cargoes

Recognising the continuous efforts of maritime flowing during the pandemic, then Senior Minister of
businesses, individuals, and seafarers in keeping State for Transport and Health Dr Lam Pin Min affi rms,
Singapore’s ports open, Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief “Through facilitating crew changes, fi nancial contribution
Executive of MPA, refl ects, “Besides showing our to seafarers’ mission, as well as the adoption of new
appreciation for them, MPA also hopes to take this technology, such as 3D printing, drones, and tele-
opportunity to accelerate the transformation of medical consultation, Singapore is glad to play our part
Maritime Singapore to future-proof it. I am confi dent to bring some relief to seafarers calling at our shores.”
that this will better position Maritime Singapore for
the new normal post-COVID-19.” FLOATING ACCOMMODATIONS
As the global pandemic unfolded, Singapore was left
MAKING DIGITAL STRIDES to grapple with a surge in infection among its migrant
The fi ght against this formidable foe did not derail worker population. Singapore responded swiftly to
MPA or the maritime industry’s push for technology move healthy migrant workers in batches to sites
and digitalisation. In fact, a string of promising such as unused military camps and vacant public
maritime-specifi c digital initiatives was launched, housing blocks to minimise cross-infections and
transforming what would otherwise be manual tasks. reduce crowding.
For instance, MPA has accepted the use of tele- Further lending its support, MPA partnered
medicine consultation since June 18. This enabled terminal operator PSA Singapore, Keppel Off shore
doctors to virtually assess if a crew is fi t to travel & Marine, fl oating accommodation barge providers
for the purpose of issuing fi t-to-fl y certifi cates. With Bibby Maritime Limited, Eastern Navigation, Pacifi c
clinical assessments now conducted in real-time using Radiance, Bayu Maritime, and serviced apartment
end-point video devices, this eliminated the need for operator The Ascott Limited to bring in and
doctors to go onboard. manage fl oating accommodations as alternative
At this year’s Day of the Seafarer, which falls on June venues to contain the spread of COVID-19 as part of
25 and pays tribute to seafarers for their contributions, a national eff ort.