SMI to get S$80m funding to bolster Singapore's maritime position

Benjamin Cher

Published Thu, Oct 14, 2021 · 03:00 PM

THE Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) is set to receive an S$80 million funding boost from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to bolster Singapore's maritime position.

The funding will be allocated over the next five years to support SMI initiatives according to Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat's opening remarks at the SMI Forum held on Thursday (Oct 14).

Chee also presided over the launch of SMI's latest laboratory, the Advanced Navigation Research Simulator. This consists of a full ship bridge and vessel traffic system to simulate ship navigation and vessel traffic operations.

With global supply chain issues bringing the maritime industry to the fore, SMI's role as a research centre has enabled Singapore's maritime growth beyond the core port business since the institute's inception in 2011.

Singapore has been consistently ranked top in the maritime research and development and educational centres in the world, as well as environmentally sustainable technologies and solutions for the oceans. The funding will be utilised in growing SMI's leading research centre position with a focus on next generation port, smart shipping and green technologies.

"It will also allow SMI to grow our talent pool of maritime research scientists and engineers in Singapore. This includes developing a pipeline of local talents from within, and also attracting overseas researchers to come to Singapore to complement our local workforce and expand our research capabilities and networks," said Chee.