Page 6 - SG Nautilus Issue 47.indb

ISSUE 47 PAGE 4

SHIP’S LOG NEWS

MOU TO DRIVE GLOBAL INTEROPERABILITY
AMONG MARITIME PLATFORMS
To develop and adopt common lines, logistics companies,
data standards and Application and platform providers can
Programming Interface (API) exchange data and interoperate

specifications, which will facilitate through a common set of
data exchange for port and APIs. MPA and its partners will
maritime services transactions, also hold a series of technical
the Maritime and Port Authority workshops to design, test, and SINGAPORE OBSERVES DAY OF THE SEAFARER
of Singapore (MPA) signed a publish the API specifi cations. This year’s Day of the Seafarer, which falls on June 25,
memorandum of understanding Highlighting the important was particularly meaningful in the midst of the COVID-19
(MoU) with fi ve international role that the MoU would pandemic. Hence, paying tribute to seafarers became all
partners on July 28. play, Mr Niam said, “The the more important, as they contributed heavily towards
These partners are maritime sector is a global maintaining the flow of goods.

CargoSmart (solution provider business. Diff erent players To safeguard their health, as well as that of the wider
for the Global Shipping Business in the maritime ecosystem shipping community and general public in Singapore,
Network), GTD Solutions are pursuing digitalisation at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has
(representing TradeLens), varying paces. To truly reap the been facilitating crew change requests for seafarers in a

GeTS and PSA International benefits of eff ective information controlled and regulated environment by setting up a ‘safe
(jointly representing CALISTA), exchange, we need to move corridor’. From March 27–June 25 (Day of the Seafarer),
and the Port of Rotterdam beyond digitising single nodes MPA had approved more than 13,000 cases of crew sign-

Authority. The signing was in the maritime supply chain. ons and sign-offs, involving some 650 companies and 1,150
witnessed by MPA’s Chairman, MPA and our partners have ships. MPA also continues to facilitate requests from vessels

Mr Niam Chiang Meng, and taken the first step with this requiring medical care for seafarers. Since the pandemic
the International Maritime MoU. We hope that more struck, MPA has to date facilitated some 100 cases of
Organization’s (IMO) Secretary- will join us in linking up ships, seafarers requiring medical attention ashore.
General, Mr Kitack Lim. port authorities, and platform On June 25, care packs prepared by MPA, Singapore

Interoperability is a timely providers into a seamless Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), Singapore Organisation

issue as port authorities digitalOCEANS to facilitate of Seamen (SOS), and Singapore Shipping Association
TM
have developed or are in port-to-ship connectivity and (SSA) were distributed to seafarers signing on at Marina
the process of developing effi cient trade transactions South Pier, while 3D-printed face shields were presented to
maritime single windows to across the globe.” signing-off seafarers. Care packs were also delivered from

implement IMO’s Convention The MoU was signed during shore to ship by drone, demonstrating the use of innovative
on Facilitation of International the prologue, titled “Digital technology to enhance safety and effi ciency in deliveries
Maritime Traffi c to facilitate Connectivity & Data Standards”, usually carried out via small launches or boats.
the electronic exchange of to the Maritime Perspectives Lending a hand was then Senior Minister of State for
information for port clearance. webinar series organised by Transport and Health Dr Lam Pin Min. “During this pandemic,
This MoU also supports MPA’s MPA, which brought together seafarers have been working tirelessly to keep our ports

digitalOCEANS initiative, experts and industry leaders to open and cargoes flowing. Today, we join the international
TM
where individual data share insights on digitalisation, maritime community to celebrate this important Day of the
platforms of port authorities, decarbonisation, and trade in Seafarer, and thank our seafarers for their contributions.

port operators, shipping the new normal. Through facilitating crew changes, financial contribution to
seafarers’ mission, as well as the adoption of new technology
such as 3D printing, drones and tele-medical consultation,
Singapore is glad to play our part to bring some relief to
seafarers calling at our shores,” he said.
From June 18, MPA has also accepted the use of tele-
medicine consultation for the issuance of fi t-to-fl y certifi cates
by a doctor for crew signing off in Singapore.

Dr Lam presented MPA’s contribution of S$200,000
to seafarer missions. The grant would be distributed to
the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission, the Danish Seamen’s
Church, and the International Lutheran Seafarers’ mission.