With the recent announcement on the transfer of the maritime training functions of the MPA's National Maritime Academy to the Singapore Polytechnic (SP), a new co-ordinated body for maritime training in Singapore is born: the Singapore Maritime Academy. To formalise this, an Agreement between the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the SP will be signed. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on research, development & training in the maritime field will also be signed.

The Agreement and MOU Signing Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, 30 May 2000 at 3.00 pm at the Singapore Polytechnic Board Room, Administration Building. At the Signing Ceremony, the MPA will be represented by its Director-General, Mr Chen Tze Penn, and the SP will be represented by Principal, Mr Low Wong Fook.

Under the Agreement, the SP will take over maritime training for seafarers, the Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) Theory Examination and the Handling Assessment, and issue PPCDL licences.

The MOU is the first between MPA and SP on research, development and training in the maritime field. It will provide a framework for the MPA and the SP to collaborate on a number of R&D and training projects. These aim to strengthen Singapore's attraction as an international maritime research, development and training hub.

Both MPA and SP have maritime expertise in the areas of R&D and training. The MOU therefore enhances the possibilities of closer co-operation in the development of new technologies, new training systems and courses for the maritime industry.

The collaboration will see the increased sharing of training resources and training facilities between MPA and SP. In the pipeline are the development of a computer-based training courses on the use of the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), and the setting up of an Integrated Simulator Centre (ISC) to train maritime, harbour craft and port personnel. The ISC will have many state-of-the-art simulators, connected to each other to simulate ship navigation, power plant and cargo operations, crisis management, etc.

The SMA

The SMA will be the sole provider of maritime engineering, navigation and management training in Singapore. It will allow for better utilisation of training resources and provide the critical mass to raise Singapore's standing in the world maritime arena. The various diploma and advanced diploma courses in Marine Engineering, Navigation and Shipping Management courses prepare trainees to sit for the relevant deck and marine engineer officer certificate of competency examinations conducted by the MPA.

The MPA

With the transfer of maritime training courses to the polytechnic, MPA will be better able to concentrate on conducting port and port-related training programmes for harbour craft personnel, harbour pilots, Vessel Traffic system operators, bunker surveyors, shore-based personnel of shipping companies, and overseas maritime/port officials and trainers. MPA will continue to oversee the maritime training courses conducted in Singapore to ensure that the courses meet the needs of the Singapore merchant fleet as well as shipping employers in the maritime sector of the economy.

End of Release.