Address by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment at Inauguration of MAN Energy Solutions’ New Mixed Purpose Facility in Singapore

Dr Uwe Lauber, CEO, MAN Energy Solutions,

Mr Sarath Prasannan, Head of Region APAC, MAN Energy Solutions,

Mr Nicolas Brabeck, Managing Director, MAN Energy Solutions Singapore,

Distinguished guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.     Good morning. Let me begin by congratulating MAN Energy Solutions on the opening of your new mixed-purpose facility in Singapore!

2.     MAN Energy Solutions has been a long-time partner for Maritime Singapore since the establishment of your office here in 1977. We are heartened that MAN Energy Solutions has placed a strong vote of confidence in Singapore by setting up your second hub outside of Europe here.

3.     This new 20 million Euro facility will serve as MAN Energy Solutions’ largest service hub outside of Europe spanning over 9,000 square meters, providing shipowners and ship managers round-the-clock access to technical services, such as engine repairs and maintenance.

4.     We look forward to working closely together as you continue to grow your business in Singapore. I am confident that there will be further opportunities for collaboration in emerging areas such as maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation and talent development.  Allow me to elaborate on three points.  

Maritime Decarbonisation

5.     First, on maritime decarbonisation. The global maritime industry has embarked on a critical green energy transition. The International Maritime Organization adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships last July, with enhanced targets to reach net zero emissions by or around 2050. To achieve these targets, the international shipping industry has begun exploring new marine fuels such as methanol and ammonia.

6.     In Singapore, we are developing our infrastructure and supply chains for green fuels. We are conducting modelling, trials, pilots, and exercises to inform the development of safety standards, regulations, and operational procedures that will allow us to conduct bunkering of these fuels safely. Last July, we conducted the world’s first ship-to-containership methanol bunkering for the Laura Maersk, which runs on a newly-developed methanol engine from MAN. 

7.     MAN Energy Solutions has stepped up to the challenge of developing new two-stroke methanol dual-fuelled engines that are already available, and two-stroke ammonia dual-fuelled engines under development for ocean-going vessels. According to Clarksons, 160 methanol-ready vessels and 176 ammonia-ready vessels have been ordered globally. These engines represent a significant leap forward in green technology, offering viable options to reduce emissions. As more vessels adopt the use of such engines, the expansion of MAN Energy Solutions’ workshop and warehouse activities in Singapore will provide much needed capacity to support the increasing demand for maintenance and training.

8.     There will also be new opportunities for collaboration with our Institutes of Higher Learning, such as conducting trials to facilitate the safe operation of ammonia- and methanol-fuelled engines, or to pilot innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency of such engines.

Maritime Digitalisation

9.     Second, on maritime digitalisation. One of Singapore’s key value propositions is as a “catch-up port”. Together with maritime digitalisation initiatives such as digital bunkering, our Just-In-Time Planning and Coordination Platform optimises port calls and the provision of marine services to vessels, reducing their turnaround time.

10.    Such initiatives can bolster MAN Energy Solutions’ offerings to your customers here, by enabling faster access to spare parts and services.

11.    Beyond our current initiatives, digital monitoring and preventive maintenance regimes can be developed. Coupled with emerging areas such as 3D printing, this will help us to better support vessels that call at Singapore.

Talent Development

12.    Third, talent development. As the global maritime sector transits to a net zero future, many of our workers will need to be equipped with skills in new areas such as the bunkering of alternative fuels. Hence, our continued investment in talent development is crucial. 

13.    MAN Energy Solutions’ expansion of your training academy to cater to a wider range of engines and introduce more hands-on training is critical to drive upskilling and reskilling of our workforce, especially given your deep expertise in marine technology and alternative fuels. Such training is essential to building the confidence of maritime workers to safely handle new marine fuels, from seafarers working onboard ships powered by these fuels to shore-based personnel servicing new equipment. Singapore is also actively exploring ways to support the industry in this area.

14.    In addition, with the need to train surveyors, engineers and technicians ahead of vessel delivery, there are opportunities to deepen the partnerships between MAN Energy Solutions and our Institutes of Higher Learning to develop training modules utilising augmented reality and virtual reality.

15.    With our shared commitment to talent development, I look forward to working more closely with MAN Energy Solutions to enable our maritime workers to ride the waves of the industry’s transformation.

Conclusion

16.    To conclude, as a leading international maritime centre and global hub port, Singapore is home to a diverse range of maritime businesses and strives to be a one-stop centre for ships that call at our port. We welcome companies, talent, and ideas from around the world, such as MAN Energy Solutions, and encourage collaboration so as to learn from one another’s expertise and build on each other’s strengths. This enables Maritime Singapore and the global maritime industry to continually grow and transform. 

17.    Today’s event marks a new chapter in Maritime Singapore and MAN Energy Solutions’ partnership. I look forward to many more years of meaningful collaboration. Thank you.