Professor Bertil Andersson, Provost, NTU
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. On behalf of MPA, I would like to welcome all of you to the launch of the Maritime Clean Energy Research Programme between MPA and NTU.

CLOSE NTU-MPA COLLABORATION
Collaboration in maritime R&D, education and training between MPA and NTU go back more than a decade, when the first MOU between MPA and NTU was signed in 1996. The Maritime Research Centre at NTU was set up in 2001, followed by the establishment of maritime focused Bachelor and Masters degree courses.

For MPA, our Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund or MINT Fund, has committed funding of more than $38 million for research and test-bedding projects. Two core areas under the MINT Fund are clean energy and environment technology that we have been supporting in the development of technologies toward greener shipping and port management.

MPA and NTU have built a strong foundation over the years for develop research programmes and we are always looking at opportunities to scale up our collaboration with the maritime industry.

MARITIME CLEAN ENERGY RESEARCH PROGRAMME (MCERP)

The Maritime Clean Energy Research Progamme that we are launching today is a testament of our joint commitment to the industry.The International Maritime Organization is currently working on a regulatory framework for greenhouse gas emission from ships. Our Maritime Clean Energy Research Programme is very relevant to international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and aims to stimulate the development of more solutions. I urge everyone in the industry to support such research efforts.

Under our Clean Energy Research Programme, MPA and NTU will set aside up to $8 million and $2 million respectively to support R&D projects over the next 5 years. We will also work towards securing industry funding of up to $5 million for these R&D projects.

I am glad to announce that the Maritime Clean Energy Research Programme's first Call for Proposals opens today, and we encourage all applicants to work out the proposals together with maritime companies.

CONCLUSION
Singapore has the right factors in place for maritime R&D to grow and flourish. MPA's efforts in promoting R&D and adoption of green technologies will help the maritime industry in contributing towards a cleaner and greener environment.

All these cannot be achieved without the commitment and support from all partners and stakeholders in the maritime industry. I am happy that NTU will also be signing an MOU with key maritime companies who have expressed intent to explore collaborations in the area of maritime energy research.

I look forward to more of such partnerships in the future, and on this note, I wish you a pleasant evening ahead.

Thank you.