Strengthening Sustainability in Singapore’s Maritime Industry

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance the maritime industry’s capabilities in carbon accounting and management. This MoU builds on a long-standing collaboration between MPA and GCNS, aimed at raising sustainability standards within the maritime sector.

Since their initial MoU in 2017, MPA and GCNS have been providing maritime companies with training on sustainability reporting, which expanded in 2021 to include the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) for carbon accounting training. As a result, 15 companies have received the Maritime Singapore LowCarbon50 Award over the past three years for their efforts in decarbonization and accurate carbon accounting.

Under this new MoU, MPA and GCNS will partner with key industry associations such as the Association of Regional Ferry Operators, Association of Singapore Marine & Offshore Energy Industries (ASMI), Singapore Association of Ship Suppliers and Services (SASS), and SSA. Together, they will conduct workshops on using the Carbon Emissions Recording Tool (CERT) to monitor and manage carbon emissions.

Additionally, the partners will develop workshops to address carbon accounting needs and share information on green financing options and funding schemes to help maritime companies adopt low and zero-carbon technologies.

Leadership Insights:

• Mr. Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, emphasizes the MoU’s role in providing maritime companies with the tools to measure, report, and verify carbon emissions accurately, helping them meet emission targets.
• Ms. Veronica Lai, Vice President of GCNS, highlights the collaboration’s importance in advancing Singapore’s maritime decarbonization efforts and equipping local companies to manage emissions effectively.
• Mr. Simon Kuik, President of ASMI, shares about the sector’s transition to greener solutions and the importance of building ESG competencies across value chains.
• Mr. Danny Lien, President of SASS, notes the collaboration’s role in accelerating the maritime industry’s net-zero transition through training and resource sharing.
• Ms. Caroline Yang, President of SSA, underscores the partnership’s alignment with SSA’s 2030 Vision and the broader industry transition towards a greener future.

Together, these partnerships and initiatives signal a significant step forward in Singapore’s commitment to a sustainable maritime future. 

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About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

MPA was established on 2 February 1996 with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre, and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore’s port and maritime development, taking on the roles of port authority, maritime and port regulator and planner, international maritime centre champion, national maritime representative and a champion of digitalisation and decarbonisation efforts at regional and international fora such as at the International Maritime Organization. MPA partners industry, research community and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our waters, facilitate maritime and port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and develops maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation policies and plans, R&D and manpower development. MPA is responsible for the overall development and growth of the maritime domain and Port of Singapore. In 2023, Singapore’s annual vessel arrival tonnage crossed 3 billion Gross Tonnage and remains the world’s busiest transshipment hub, with a total container throughput of 39.0 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs). For more information, please visit www.mpa.gov.sg

About the UN Global Compact Network Singapore

UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) is the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As the leading voice on corporate sustainability in Singapore, GCNS drives multi-stakeholder action to forge a more sustainable future, founded on the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through various platforms and partnerships, GCNS advances the stewardship of sustainable business practices and Singapore’s national agenda of becoming a regional sustainable business hub. For more information, please visit www.unglobalcompact.sg

For media enquiries, please contact:

Gerald Kheng, Senior Manager (Corporate Communications)
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
E gerald_kheng@mpa.gov.sg

Aditi Mehrotra Sahni (Marketing & Communications)
UN Global Compact Network Singapore
E aditi.sahni@unglobalcompact.sg