The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) extended the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Research and Development (R&D) today. The initial MOU was signed on 17 May 96 for a two-year period. Signing the MOU at a ceremony today were MPA's Director-General, Mr Chen Tze Penn and NUS's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hang Chang Chieh.

The MOU was extended for another two years with effect from 17 May 98. This extended the joint R&D cooperation between MPA and NUS on projects relating to Singapore's port and shipping industries.

The R&D collaboration between the two organisations for the past two years has produced satisfying results. Some of the collaborative R&D projects that have been initiated since the initial MOU was signed in May 1996 are Oil Spill and Fate Modelling, Digital Tidal Atlas and Bioremediation studies for cleaning up of oil contamination.

(a) Oil Spill and Fate Modelling

The oil spill and fate model incorporates oil spill transport processes such as drift and spreading and weathering processes such as evaporation and dissolution. With these processes, the transport and fate of the oil spills with particular reference to tropical waters will be more accurately predicted. The model will serve as a useful tool to aid in oil spill response operations during accidents, environmental impact assessment and contingency planning.

(b) Digital Tidal Atlas

The Digital Tidal Atlas will provide tidal predictions at various locations and times within the port waters. The complete coverage of the port waters by the Digital Tidal Atlas will enable new uses of the tidal information, such as tracking of surface particles which is useful in oil/chemical spill studies as well as search and rescue operations. The Digital Tidal Atlas will also allow users to interact with the Atlas through the Electronic Chart Display Information System to enhance navigational safety by providing the latest and more accurate information on tides and tidal currents.

(c) Bioremediation

Bioremediation studies are being pursued to investigate the long-term removal of the effects of oil spills in tropical marine environments. Full scale as well as laboratory experiments are currently underway to assess the biodegradation capabilities of indigenous microbes. The studies are exploring ways to enhance the removal of oil spills by stimulating the growth of indigenous microbes with special oil-degrading abilities. These methods can be used as a final clean up measure for oil spills.

With the extension of the MOU, the following are some projects which will be look into:-

(a)Research and Development of a High Capacity Container Terminal

The project will involve the development of a computer simulation model of a high capacity container terminal to study the use of new container handling and transport technologies to handle the mega-ships that would be built in the future.

(b) Marine Environment Baseline Classification of the Port Waters

The environmental parameters of the port waters such as suspended sediment and dissolved oxygen will be measured and a baseline characterisation of the water column identified. The baseline programme will also include the collection of seabed samples to determine the seabed classification and chemical content.

(c) Use of Waste Earth for Reclamation

Another area of research and development is in sustainable infrastructure development involving the disposal and use of waste soil and its subsequent reclamation to derive economic benefits from the waste soil. The research will study ways to accelerate the consolidation of the waste soil used in reclamation and innovative design of fill retaining structures in deep waters.

In his speech at the signing ceremony, Mr Chen said that the projects undertaken will contribute significantly to the MPA's efforts in protecting Singapore's strategic maritime interests and assist MPA in further enhancing the safety of navigation and marine environment in our port waters. It is therefore desirable to continue with such cooperation to the benefit of the Republic's growth as a premier port and international maritime centre.

End of Statement.