The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and DNV's Clean Technology Centre (CTC) have signed a partnership agreement to initiate and promote research, development and test-bedding projects in the areas of maritime environment and clean technologies.

Through this agreement, both MPA and DNV demonstrate their commitment to Singapore's goal of developing into a global maritime knowledge hub.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Captain Khong Shen Ping, Assistant Chief Executive of MPA and the COO of DNV's Division Asia Pacific and the Middle East, Mr. Remi Eriksen at a ceremony in Singapore today.

Said Mr Eriksen, "We are delighted to work with MPA. We firmly believe that Singapore's collaborative model, involving businesses, academic institutions and government agencies will contribute to Singapore's fast growing clean tech industry and as a maritime knowledge hub." DNV's Clean Technology Centre has previously signed co-operation agreements with established research institutions such as the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore.

"As an independent foundation with a strong technology base and risk management as our core area of expertise, DNV will fill a unique role in creating trust and confidence among players in the industry as new technologies and solutions evolve in the clean technology arena", Mr Eriksen continued.

Captain Khong said, "Protecting the marine environment is one of the key challenges facing the international shipping community, and the MPA-DNV MOU reflects the firm commitment of both our organisations to protect and safeguard the marine environment. Being the world's busiest port and a major flag registry, Singapore is strongly committed to environmentally-friendly shipping and port activities, especially on the prevention and reduction of pollution from ships and port activities."

"Through our Clean Technology Centre we are working closely with a large number of customers from ship owners, operators, yards and financial institutions providing services from technology qualification of green shipping solutions to energy efficiency and risk management on green ship projects, said Bjorn Tore Markussen, Managing Director of the CTC. "We are convinced that a close co-operation with MPA will further accelerate maritime innovation in Singapore."

End of Release

Jointly issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and DNV.

About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996 with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, grow the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.

For more information on MPA, please visit www.mpa.gov.sg

About DNV
DNV is a global provider of services for managing risk, with safeguarding life, property and the environment as its purpose.

Organised as an independent, autonomous foundation, DNV balances the needs of business and society, based on its independence and integrity. With its vision of creating a global impact for a safe and sustainable future for its customers and, ultimately society at large, DNV serves a range of high-risk industries, with a special focus on the maritime and energy sectors.

Established in 1864, the company has a global presence with a network of 300 offices in 100 countries, and is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Its prime assets are the knowledge and expertise of its 9,000 employees from more than 80 nations.

Recognised as a highly respected third party providing trust and confidence for its customers' stakeholders, DNV has been authorized by governments and national authorities to provide services in countries worldwide and has ambitions to grow further, especially in Asia which will be the engine for world economic growth in the years to come.

Today, its services in Asia cover the areas of maritime, energy, business assurance, IT global services, software and climate change.Having a network of 2,000 employees from 80 offices in Asia, DNV has the infrastructure, resources and contacts to grow further and assist its customers to manage their risks in a holistic manner.

As one of the world's leading risk management and sustainability service providers with over 40 years presence in Singapore, DNV earlier this year established its new Clean Technology Centre to meet the growing demand for clean technology innovation and incubation services in Singapore and South East Asia. Located in the DNV Technology Centre in Science Park, the CTC will be a centre of excellence for clean technology innovation and incubation.

The CTC was formally opened on the 18th of March 2010 and currently has some 30 employees working on clean technology innovation and incubation across several industries in Singapore and the region.