Singapore launches digital platform Oceans-X to boost development of e-services for maritime sector

[SINGAPORE] The Republic debuted a new digital platform on Tuesday (Apr 21) that will allow maritime industry stakeholders to exchange data securely.

Announced at Singapore Maritime Week, the platform enables the integration of a wide range of digital services. This results in improved port efficiency along with boosting trade flows and connectivity.

In his opening remarks for Singapore Maritime Week, the Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow said the Republic has built a “platform to facilitate data exchange between regulators, port operators, shipping lines, and other international partners, so that different maritime systems are interoperable, and we have a single platform to connect end users directly to digital services and data.”

Named Oceans-X, the data and application programming interface (API) exchange platform is developed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Oceans stands for Open/Common Exchange And Network Standardisation.

APIs are protocols that let different computers or computer systems communicate with one another.

Oceans-X will allow secure system-to-system connectivity and the exchange of data between maritime companies, government agencies and other stakeholders.

Industry players and startups can develop and deploy new services, analytics, and AI tools on the platform. Both academia and the public may also access and use the public maritime datasets for research and innovation.

MPA said that the platform now has more than 100 APIs and datasets, including arrival and departure schedules, weather and geospatial data. Oceans-X will support more services as they are developed.

Digital maritime services

Currently, the platform supports digital port clearance and the exchange of ship certificates.

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Digital port clearance is already available in Singapore through the online portal digitalPort@SG.

Oceans-X goes further by allowing shipping companies and agents to connect their systems and transmit their clearance applications directly to MPA’s digital platform instead of inputting them manually.

This reduces clearance errors and duration, and improves port efficiency.

It will also allow certificate exchange for Green and Digital Shipping Corridors (GDSCs).

These corridors, which exist between Singapore and various ports including Rotterdam, allow partner ports to collaborate in deploying zero-emission fuels and digital solutions for reduced emissions and improved port efficiency.

On Monday, the Port of Singapore and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach renewed their GDSC agreement for another three years.

In these corridors, ships exchange various certificates – such as sustainability certificates – digitally to the port of call. Oceans-X allows for fully electronic exchange of such certificates, which is faster and more secure.

Other possible applications could be to use environmental and navigational data to help route ships around congestions or bad weather, or for maritime businesses to help manage their supply chain digital integration.

Singapore Maritime Week is organised by the MPA, and runs until Friday at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.