Opening remarks by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Lam Pin Min at the Opening of the Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation of Next Generation Ports (C4NGP)

NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology), Professor Chen Tsuhan,
Singapore Maritime Institute Chairman, Mr Wong Weng Sun,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.     A very good morning.

2.     At the Singapore Maritime Foundation’s New Year Reception earlier this year, I announced the plans by NUS and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) to establish the Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation of Next Generation Ports (C4NGP). I am pleased to be here today, nine months later, to officially open the C4NGP.

Investing in a future ready port

3.     As the third maritime centre of excellence supported by MPA and SMI, C4NGP seeks to deepen research and innovation capabilities within our port sector.

4.     This is an important endeavour. The port is a cornerstone of our maritime ecosystem, connecting Singapore to more than 600 ports in some 120 countries. It is thus critical that our port stays ahead of competition. To cater for ever larger vessels and increased activities within our port waters, we are building the new Tuas Terminal to scale up our port capacity.

5.     But we are not just building a larger port. We are building a smarter, more cutting-edge port. We are looking to deploy smarter systems and state-of-art technologies, as well as increase the degree of automation at the future Tuas Terminal.

6.     The port also goes beyond the terminals operated by PSA and Jurong Port. It also includes our port waters, fairways and anchorages. As such, we will also need to leverage technology to further optimise the operations and management of these resources.

7.     To this end, MPA has been actively pushing for digitalisation. For instance, we are developing the Maritime Single Window to be the digital shopfront for all port-related processes and transactions. This will be augmented by just-in-time resource planning and allocation capabilities to enhance port efficiency and coordination. We are also piloting new concepts, such as blockchain and distributed ledger technologies for applications in the maritime domain.

8.     Hence, the setting up of C4NGP is timely. C4NGP will foster the cross-sharing of research expertise and development of new concepts of operations, through modelling, simulation and optimisation of next generation ports and maritime systems.

9.     I understand that several research projects are already underway. One of these is the ‘digital twin’ for ports, which creates a virtual replica of physical port systems. This allows C4NGP’s researchers to evaluate the impact of different layout designs and concepts on operational efficiency, when applied to the future Tuas Terminal.

10.    In addition, the ‘digital twin’ would enable the creation of testing scenarios to simulate disruptions to port operations – such as natural disasters and extreme weather. This will support the development of tools and processes which build resilience and facilitate decision-making in such unforeseen events.

Collaboration is the key to success

11.    Apart from its own projects, C4NGP will collaborate with like-minded organisations in both industry and academia. We will witness today the signing of seven memoranda of understanding between C4NGP and its partners.

12.    Each of these signals the start of a fruitful and productive collaboration, and brings the maritime and research communities together to share knowledge and ideas.I am confident that such collaboration will be a force multiplier, delivering outcomes that go beyond what individual parties can achieve on their own.

Conclusion

13.    I wish C4NGP and its partners a fruitful and fulfilling journey ahead. Thank you.