The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) revealed plans to set up a major Internet gateway to provide a convenient one-stop access to E-commerce and information services for the global maritime industry today. Announcing this new initiative was Dr John Chen, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, and National Development at the opening of a conference "IT in the 21st Century - A Growth for the Maritime Industry " held at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

Called the Singapore Maritime Portal (SMP), this Internet portal is part of the MPA's efforts to promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre. The portal will comprise five components. They are the Electronic Marketplace, Port Community E-Commerce Services, Information Services, Industry Connections and Port Handbook.

Electronic Marketplace
This component will act as a global virtual marketplace for real-time and online trading or ordering of goods and services related to maritime and shipping trades. Some examples include the ordering of tug services, ship supplies, trading of bunkers and cargo space. While some of these services will be provided by the MPA, others will be offered through links established with companies offering the goods and services.

Port Community E-commerce Services
Under this segment, the shipping community will be able to transact with MPA, terminal operators and other government bodies for services provided by MARINET, PORTNET and TRADENET.

Information Services
For this category, users will be able to access a wide range of information including shipping schedules, updates of the Singapore electronic navigational chart, port and bunker statistics, weather and tidal information, and vessel movements in the Singapore port waters. A unique feature of this component is the vessel tracking service to be introduced for the Singapore port waters. This service allows users to view their vessels' positions in real-time.

Industry Connections
Users will find a wide range of maritime-related contacts under this component. These will ranges from a directory listing of maritime-related companies to the publishing of job and product advertisements, and information on major maritime events.

Port Handbook
It will essentially be an online handbook detailing all the facilities and services provided by the Singapore port.

The development of the SMP will be carried out in phases, with Phase 1 being launched in June this year.

In opening the conference, Dr John Chen pointed out that E-Logistics and E-Shipping are becoming the industry norm. He urged the international and local industry players convened at the event to use this conference as a forum to share and exchange useful information on IT application and development in the maritime sector.

Organised by the MPA, the one-and-a-half day conference underscores the government's support of IT initiatives that help make the Singapore port a state-of-the-art and safe port. It aims to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the use of IT in the maritime industry. The conference attracted more than 250 local and foreign participants.

End of Release.