Singapore, Denmark, Norway sign MOU to cut administrative burdens in shipping

THE Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Singapore Maritime Week on Monday to promote the adoption of E-Certificates (E-Certs) for the shipping community.

This is understood to be the first MOU between the maritime authorities of European nations and an Asian country that promotes the acceptance and use of E-Certs over the conventional hard copy documents practised by the shipping community.

The MOU was signed by Andreas Nordseth, director general of the DMA; Andrew Tan, chief executive of the MPA; and Tormod Endresen, Norwegian ambassador to Singapore, on behalf of the NMA.

The areas of cooperation under the MOU include the promotion and use of E-Certs on ships registered under the respective flags of the parties, the acceptance of E-Certs for port entry and Port State Control inspections, as well as the sharing of information and experiences relating to issuance, use and acceptance of E-Certs.

Converting the hardcopy certificates to E-Certs is part of the digitalisation movement to reduce administrative burdens in the shipping industry.

"Through such initiatives as e-certification, Singapore seeks to harness the growing importance of information and communications technology to prepare the maritime sector for a digital future," said Mr Tan.