The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have jointly set up a centre dedicated to research and development (R&D) in the port and maritime field. The formal establishment of the MPA-NTU Maritime Research Centre (MRC) was effected this morning, through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the MPA and NTU. The MRC is the first such centre in Singapore.

To be sited within NTU, the main objective of the MRC is to initiate and undertake research to develop technologies and IT applications in the port and maritime field. Besides managing joint R&D projects between the MPA and NTU, the MRC will also seek collaboration with other local and foreign institutions and industry partners. An initial seeding R&D fund of S$1 million will be used to start off the MRC. This fund, contributed equally by the MPA and NTU, will be made available to projects approved by both organisations. The fund will be topped up yearly to ensure that S$1 million is available for maritime research. The yearly supplement will be provided equally by the MPA and NTU.

For the MPA, funding for the MRC will be drawn from its budget set aside for maritime R&D activities and projects. In the next 10 years, the MPA plans to invest some S$50 million to boost Singapore's maritime R&D profile and capabilities. Calculated on an annual basis, this figure is about 3% of the MPA's gross revenue, and is above the 1999 national Gross Expenditure on R&D to GDP ratio of 1.84%.

Some of the ongoing joint projects between the MPA and NTU, such as the project to develop a high capacity terminal simulation system, will come under the management of the MRC. In addition, several new projects, including one to develop a remote pollution monitoring system, have also been proposed.

In his address during the signing ceremony, Mr Chen Tze Penn, Director-General of the MPA, said, "Since its formation in 1996, the MPA has placed strong emphasis on research and development in the port and maritime field. Being the busiest port in the world in terms of shipping tonnage implies that there is a critical need to ensure safety within our waters and provide the best and most cost-effective services to our port users. The best way is to invest in the development of port and maritime technology."

Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, Deputy President of NTU, highlighted in his address that, like many other modern industries, the maritime industry is multi-disciplinary and relies heavily on the application of advanced technology. This is where NTU, being an established university of technology, has a strong role to play. It has a wealth of experience and capabilities that are pertinent and useful to the shipping industry, port operations, coastal developments and general maritime business.

End of Release.