The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched a major Internet gateway to provide a convenient one-stop access to E-commerce and information services for the global maritime industry today. First announced by Dr John Chen, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, and National Development on 16 May 2000, the URL for the newly launched Singapore Maritime Portal (SMP) is www.singaporemaritimeportal.com.
This Internet portal is part of the MPA's efforts to promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre. It comprises five components, namely, the Electronic Marketplace, Port Community Network, Information Services, Maritime Connections and About Our Port.
For a start, the services available at the portal include:
Port Community Network
For access to and transactions with the three major port systems MARINET, PORTNET and TRADENET.
Information Services
- shipping schedules
- marine weather
- tidal information
- port statistics
- purchase of navigational charts
Maritime Connections
- directory service of maritime-related companies
- news headlines in the shipping industry
- other useful links
About Our Port
An electronic handbook on the facilities and services provided by the Port of Singapore, including port procedures and guidelines.
Development of the Electronic Marketplace is in progress and it is expected to be ready in 2001. Some of the attractions under this component include the E-bunker service which will allow ship owners and bunker suppliers to trade bunkers through electronic bidding or auctioning. It will also provide real-time bunker prices and other related information to help bunker buyers and sellers in their business decisions.
The total development cost for the completed SMP is estimated to be $5 million. This cost includes the provision of E-commerce services such as E-bunker.
Unlike other commercial portal sites, the objective of setting up the SMP is not revenue-driven but part of MPA's efforts to promote the use of E-commerce in the maritime and port industry as well as to enable maritime companies to leverage on IT to boost operational efficiency. While the MPA will be levying some subscription and transaction charges for the E-marketplace component, services in other components such as Information Services and Maritime Connections would be provided free-of-charge. The subscription and transaction charges will be determined at a later stage.
End of Release.
