The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has unveiled the concept for ‘The WAVES’ – Waterfront for All, innoVation, Enterprise, and Sustainability – an integrated waterfront development that will be the focal point for maritime innovation, sustainability and talent development efforts in Singapore. In addition, MPA has announced the commissioning of MPA Guardian, a new hybrid diesel-electric patrol craft.
Slated to be operational by late 2025, The WAVES will house research institutes and startups, facilitate testbeds and trials of decarbonization technologies, and host maritime training programs to attract and develop talent.
In conjunction with the unveiling of The WAVES, the world’s first autonomous and zero-emission hydrogen ship, Energy Observer, was berthed at the Marina South Pier to demonstrate the potential of sustainable energy for maritime. Energy Observer’s visit comes after the signing of the terms of reference for the steering committee for cooperation between Singapore and France in the maritime field – as part of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Direction des Affaires Maritimes of the Minister for the Ecological Transition of France and MPA, which was established in April 2021.
“The new enhanced patrol craft will strengthen our fleet of patrol craft enforcement and emergency response capabilities as it has higher endurance and the necessary sea-keeping capabilities for operations in all weather conditions,” said MPA’s chief executive, Quah Ley Hoon. “As we work toward a sustainable Maritime Singapore, reducing emissions from the domestic harbor craft fleet is an important focus area. Developing a hybrid diesel-electric vessel with electric propulsion, we made sure that our new enhanced patrol craft would be ready for a greener future.”
Developed in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Agency and Penguin Shipyard International, the hybrid diesel-electric aluminum catamaran measures 34m and will have shallow-water rescue capabilities, a launching platform for drone deployment, and chemical gas detectors and equipment to contain and respond to marine oil spills. It will also be used as a testbed platform for new technologies and equipment. The vessel will supplement the existing fleet of six next-generation patrol craft and can be deployed for command and control during operations such as search and rescue, salvage, ferry incidents, spill response and exercises. The enhanced patrol craft will be deployed for patrolling duties within the port and has the necessary sea-keeping capabilities for responding to marine incidents outside the port.