Electric ferry and more: Australia, Singapore select 8 projects to reduce maritime emissions
These include a fully electric ferry, and one that develops hydrogen – from sea water – as a clean fuel for maritime use
[SINGAPORE] Singapore and Australia have selected eight projects to fund in an effort to reduce emissions in maritime operations. The projects are set for completion within two years, said the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in a joint release on Wednesday (Mar 26).
Singapore is committing S$10 million to this, while Australia is also committing A$10 million (S$8.4 million). This funding was announced in April 2024.
The funding is under a grant opportunity by the Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low-Emissions Technologies (Aslet). There were 32 applications by universities, research institutes and industries.
Aslet is led by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO as well as MPA, on behalf of both governments.
Aslet said it aims to support the Singapore-Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor that was established to decarbonise and digitise shipping routes between both countries. In March 2024, Australia and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding to establish this corridor.
The selected projects focus on deploying low or zero-emission technologies for maritime and port operations, covering fuel supply chains for hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, as well as vessel electrification and safety monitoring.
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Five of the proposals originate from Australia, while three are from Singapore.
The projects include a fully electric ferry designed to carry 50 to 100 passengers, and a cloud-based digital analysis tool to promote the safe adoption of low-emission fuels. A safety and training programme on the use of ammonia as a fuel for maritime and port personnel was also selected.
The National University of Singapore is leading two projects – one developing an artificial intelligence-based system for managing hydrogen and ammonia safely, and another designing a detection system for harmful fuel leaks.
The American Bureau of Shipping in Singapore will develop the third selected project from Singapore – a project developing hydrogen from sea water – as a clean fuel for maritime use.
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