17 August 2015

 

IBM and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore collaborate in research to improve maritime and port operations using analytics-based technologies

SINGAPORE - 17 August 2015 - IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) today announced their partnership to develop and test-bed new analytics-based technologies, aimed at improving maritime and port operations to cater to increasing growth in vessel traffic in Singapore. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the launch of the National Maritime Safety at Sea Council event, marking a joint investment between the two parties.

Singapore remains one of the busiest ports in the world and the region, with an estimated 1,000 vessels calling at the Port of Singapore at any one time. Every year, there are about 130,000 vessel calls at the Port of Singapore, which means there is a vessel arriving or leaving Singapore every two to three minutes. This research collaboration will serve to ease potential traffic congestion and elevate safety standards, securing Singapore's position as a global hub port and a leading international maritime centre.

As part of the two-year agreement, IBM will create a unified platform to integrate real time data and provide a consistent view of data points across MPA to empower port operators to make more informed decisions. For example, with vessel positional and weather data, the platform will report on any vessel path inferences to avoid accidents.

Using the IBM Traffic Prediction Tool, predictive analytics will be applied to forecast vessel arrival timings and potential traffic congestion. The partnership will also uncover new methods for sense-making and aid in event monitoring to detect unusual behavior of vessels and prevent illegal bunkering through fusion analytics, anomaly detection and data mining, leveraging the IBM Incident Detection Module and IBM System G. These digital capabilities are intended to improve port security and safety.

"IBM has worked with over 800 cities around the world to address some of their most critical challenges and help them become smarter and more effective. Our history of smarter cities engagements have demonstrated how the right investments in infrastructure and adoption of analytics-based technologies can be effectively used to create synergy and provide seamlessness across an organisation. The capabilities that will be created in this initiative are aligned to Singapore's aspirations to be a smart nation, and we are honoured to be partnering MPA in our joint commitment to improve the long-term efficiencies of the maritime industry and enhance Singapore's position as a world-class international maritime centre," said Tim Greisinger, Managing Director, IBM Singapore.

"MPA is happy to partner IBM on this important MOU to leverage new technologies and harness data analytics that not only enhance current maritime operations, but support our smart port initiatives for the Tuas Next Generation Port. Our collaboration with IBM will see a good mix of our research expertise, software technologies and maritime domain knowledge to create new capabilities for the maritime industry to support Singapore's vision towards a safe, smart and efficient port," said Mr. Andrew Tan, Chief Executive, MPA.


 

 MOU signing between MPA and IBM

 

 Mr Tim Greisinger, Managing Director, IBM Singapore (left) and Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive MPA signing the MOU, witnessed by Ms Janet Ang, Vice President, Systems of Engagement & Smarter Cities, IBM Asia Pacific and Mr Lucien Wong, Chairman MPA

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About IBM
IBM is a globally integrated technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. With operations in more than 170 countries, IBM attracts and retains some of the world's most talented people to help solve problems and provide an edge for businesses, governments and non-profits.

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For more information on IBM, visit www.ibm.com/sg.