Infoblaze Southeast Asia

19/01/2025

Strong growth momentum for Maritime Singapore

Singapore’s annual vessel arrival tonnage, total tonnage of ships under the Singapore flag, container throughput, total bunker sales, and sales of alternative bunker fuels, reached new highs in 2024. Cargo throughput handled at the port of Singapore also increased in 2024. These were among some of the announcements by Mr Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Law and Transport, at the annual Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) New Year Conversations event today. Mr Murali said that despite strained global supply chains, Maritime Singapore has maintained strong growth momentum in 2024 and looks forward to continued steady growth in 2025.

Key 2024 Maritime and Port Performance

Gross Tonnage. The annual vessel arrival tonnage in the port of Singapore grew by 0.6%, reaching a new record of 3.11 billion gross tonnage (GT), up from 3.09 billion GT in 2023. The key shipping categories - bulk carriers, container ships and tankers - each accounting for close to a third, contributed to over 90% of Singapore’s vessel arrival tonnage in 2024. Arrivals of bulk carriers also hit a record high in 2024. Other categories, such as specialised vessels, ferries and cruise liners account for the remainder. This diverse distribution reinforces Singapore’s position as a global hub supporting the diversity of global shipping carrying commodities, containers, energy supplies, and various trades.

Cargo. Cargo throughput handled at the port of Singapore also rose to 622.67 million tonnes, an increase of 5.2% from 592.01 million tonnes in 2023.

Container. Container throughput from both PSA terminals and Jurong Port crossed the 40 million TEU mark for the first time, growing by 5.4% and reaching a new record of 41.12 million TEUs compared to 39.0 million TEUs in 2023. Around 90% of Singapore’s container throughput is for transshipment to other destinations. Singapore remains the largest container transshipment hub in the world......
https://bit.ly/3C3SsIP

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore - MPA

01/01/2025

Green Craft Programme (GCP) introduced for new build harbour craft

REVISIONS TO THE MARITIME SINGAPORE GREEN INITIATIVE (MSGI) – INTRODUCTION OF GREEN CRAFT PROGRAMME (GCP) FOR NEW BUILD HARBOUR CRAFT

This circular supersedes Port Marine Circular No.10 of 2022 and will take effect from

January 2025 until 31 December 2027.

The MSGI has been enhanced to better align with the targets established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to achieve peak greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping as soon as possible, and to guide the industry towards reaching net-zero by or around 2050.

Under the revised MSGI, with effect from 1 January 2025, the incentives for new build harbour craft under the Green Port Programme (GPP) will be subsumed under the new GCP, which encourages the early adoption of zero-emission fuel and technologies, as well as zero- and low- carbon fuels for new build harbour craft......
https://bit.ly/3ZYIZu3

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore - MPA

24/12/2024

PQDs | Perovskite quantum dots - Promising material for energy-efficient screens

A new optical nanoantenna design provides fine control of light emissions from quantum dots, honing their tunability for more robust, energy-efficient optoelectronics.

From microscopes to fibre optic cables, the ability to control light underpins many modern innovations. Today, advanced optical components are often smaller than the eye can see; for example, television screens, which formerly projected images using fist-sized cathode ray tubes, now rely on light-emitting layers of polymers thinner than a human hair.

For Zhaogang D**g, a Principal Scientist at A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), perovskites are an especially intriguing class of prospective materials for future screens. When shaped into perovskite quantum dots (PQDs)—tiny crystals under 20 nm wide—they become exceptionally good at absorbing and emitting light....
https://bit.ly/3VVe00J

Institute of Materials Research and Engineering
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

08/12/2024

Singapore towards its goal by 2050 | Paving the way for a more sustainable future in and beyond

A buzz of excitement filled the air at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2024. Over 18,000 energy policymakers, thought leaders, and industry professionals from more than 70 countries gathered at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre to discuss energy developments and forge new collaborations.

Navigating the Energy Transition through Resilience

Energy resilience is a key dimension of Singapore’s decarbonisation strategy through the Four Switches – Solar, Regional Power Grids, Low-carbon Alternatives and Natural Gas.To this end, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) has launched a grant call to explore carbon capture and storage pathways for the power sector. It aims to decarbonise existing natural gas-fired power generation while scaling up renewable energy adoption.

Additionally, EMA has granted Conditional Approval for renewable energy firm Sun Cable to import 1.75 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity from Australia to Singapore via new subsea cables. The Conditional Approval recognises that the project can be technically and commercially viable based on its proposal submitted thus far.....
https://bit.ly/49qdjC2


Singapore International Energy Week

Energy Market Authority

06/12/2024

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and MISC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in innovation, research and development (R&D) and test-bedding activities, to advance digital transformation in the maritime industry. The MoU was signed by Mr David Foo, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations and Operations Technology), MPA, and Mr Mohd Denny Mohd Isa, Vice President, MISC Marine, and witnessed by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, and Mr Zahid Osman, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, MISC Berhad.

As part of the three-year arrangement, both parties will focus on integrating sustainable digital technologies into marine operations, enhance processes through data-sharing initiatives and cybersecurity innovations.....
https://bit.ly/4ikMMu6

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore - MPA

04/12/2024

Australia and Singapore Collaborate to Support Sustainable Infrastructure and Decarbonisation in Southeast Asia

The Australian Government has approved a US$50 million investment into the Green Investments partnership (GIP) under Singapore’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) initiative. The investment will support clean energy transition and sustainable infrastructure development across Southeast Asia. FAST-P was launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in 2023.

Australia’s investment, administered by Export Finance Australia (EFA), will help facilitate investment opportunities in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia and create commercial opportunities for Australian exporters and financial institutions. This is the first investment under the Australian Government’s A$2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF) — a key recommendation of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. This highlights Australia’s commitment to practical action and reinforces their role as a committed and reliable partner for the region....
https://bit.ly/4glGxEF

03/12/2024

03/12/2024

Vietnamese economy predicted to grow 6.6% in 2025: UOB

Singapore-based United Overseas Bank (UOB) anticipates an expansion pace of 6.6 percent for Viet Nam’s economy in 2025 in its recent report released on December 2.

The bank maintains Viet Nam's full year growth forecast at 6.4 percent, which implies 5.2 percent on year in the fourth quarter.

The nation's real GDP growth was stronger than expected in quarter three this year, surging 7.4 percent on year compared to the median consensus view of 6.1 percent and UOB's forecast of 5.7 percent. This is the fastest pace since the third quarter of 2022 when activities had then rebounded sharply from the trough of the pandemic, the UOB noted....
https://bit.ly/3ODfKIc




Via en.baochinhphu.vn

02/12/2024

NZ welcomes Singapore food security delegation

Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today welcomes a delegation from Singapore, who are in New Zealand for a food security mission.

“The visit will strengthen our trade and investment ties and demonstrate how New Zealand’s world-leading agri-food ecosystem can support Singapore’s long-term food security.

“This mission will elevate the role of our world leading, high-quality, safe, food and fibre and contribute to our target of doubling the value of exports in the next 10 years.”....
https://bit.ly/3CPymlA

Todd McClay MP

29/11/2024

to invest S$3 billion over next six years to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global air hub

Airport charges to be progressively raised to finance investments, recover costs for investments during Covid-19, and cater for higher operating costs; rebates to help airlines with transition.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) will invest S$3 billion over the next six years in Singapore Changi Airport Terminals 1 to 4 to improve services such as baggage handling, check-in, immigration and Skytrain connections between terminals, as well as to replace end-of-life systems to facilitate smoother passenger and airline experience. The investments will help Changi Airport stay competitive and meet rising demand for air travel before Terminal 5 is operational in the mid-2030s.

Airport charges will be progressively raised between 2025 and 2030, to fund these investments, and cater for higher operating costs such as manpower. This also enables the recovery of significant investments made during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the expansion of Terminal 2 and check-in counter capacity in Terminal 3, when passenger fees and airlines charges were frozen and planned increases were suspended. To help airlines with the transition, a 50% rebate on increases in landing, parking and aerobridge (LPA) charges will be given to airlines for the first six months........
https://bit.ly/4eN2sU0

Changi Airport

28/11/2024

DMCC Builds and Connectivity With as Part of Latest Roadshow to Unlock USD 20 Billion Trade Potential

- DMCC visits Vietnam for second time in 2024 to drive new opportunities for Vietnamese Web3 businesses following signing of landmark CEPA deal

- Roadshow in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh gathers 650 Vietnamese business leaders to showcase Dubai’s strategic advantage in Web3, AI and blockchain

- Signing of UAE-Vietnam CEPA heralds new era of economic relations and projected USD 20 billion in bilateral trade in coming years

DMCC is connecting the Web3 and AI communities across Dubai and Vietnam, underscoring the immense potential for trade and investment in technology-driven sectors following the historic signing of the UAE-Vietnam Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in October.

During its second Made For Trade Live roadshow to Vietnam this year, DMCC hosted three high-level events in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, gathering 650 business leaders, founders, and start-ups to enhance trade, investment and business connectivity between Vietnam and the UAE. A dedicated event on scaling up Web3 and AI investment was held in partnership with SightSea Labs, one of the Vietnam’s leading Web3 venture builders.....
https://bit.ly/3Z7NLoQ



DMCC - Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

23/11/2024

GreenGov.SG Report FY23 | Public sector emitted around 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a 0.2% decrease from FY22, electricity use increased while water use decreased

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) has published the GreenGov.SG report FY2023, which details the public sector’s environmental sustainability performance from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

The latest GreenGov.SG report incorporates waste data for the first time and provides further granularity on the categorisation of different types of public sector facilities to better contextualise their resource footprints. These additions were made following feedback from MSE’s stakeholders and members of public after the publication of the inaugural report in 2023....
https://bit.ly/4fDLf0B

Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

22/11/2024

Singapore and Sweden to Collaborate on Advancing and Regional Power Connectivity

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore and Ministry of Climate and Enterprise of Sweden have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Energy Cooperation to enhance collaboration on regional energy interconnectivity and the development of clean energy technologies.

Under the MOU, both parties will cooperate on advancing High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technologies and transmission infrastructure, including subsea cables.....
https://bit.ly/3B5Q1oi

Energy Market Authority

21/11/2024

Breaking through to open airwaves

New acoustic filters could support faster future mobile communications by tapping into underused higher frequency bands, reducing congestion in existing channels.

Global internet traffic has surged past three trillion gigabytes annually, largely due to high-definition video streaming. As our insatiable appetite for data grows, so does the need for faster, more efficient communication systems. However, the invisible highways of electromagnetic (EM) waves—known as frequency bands—that connect Wi-Fi and mobile networks are becoming increasingly congested.

“Due to the development of 5G and 6G communications, frequency bands below 6 GHz are almost fully occupied,” said Xinghua Wang, a Scientist at A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME). “It will be increasingly critical to tap into lesser-used higher frequencies with potential for further exploitation, such as the Ku band (12-18 GHz) and the millimetre-wave (mmWave) spectrum.”...
https://bit.ly/3ZeAA6K

Xinghua Wang
Institute of Microelectronics
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

20/11/2024

Smart Port Challenge garners over 200 proposals from 35 countries

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), held the annual PIER71™ Great Circle 2024 today at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment opened the event as the Guest-of-Honour which featured the 8th edition of the Smart Port Challenge (SPC) Grand Finals and a MarineTech Start-up Innovation Showcase. Over 400 participants attended the event, including local and international start-ups, venture capitalists, researchers, and members of the maritime community.

Since its inception in 2018, PIER71™ has nurtured over 140 MarineTech start-ups, supported by a robust network of over 60 corporate partners. These start-ups have raised over S$80 million in investments from venture capitalists, with 10 start-ups raising close to S$17 million in 2024....
https://bit.ly/40VlpQZ

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore - MPA

17/11/2024

First Cloud Resilience Crisis Management Exercise by APAC Financial Regulators and Cloud Providers

Asia Pacific financial regulators and global cloud service providers (CSPs) in the Financial Sector Cloud Resilience Forum[1], established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), conducted a crisis management tabletop exercise on 6 November 2024. The exercise, which is the first of its kind in the region, simulated a severe public cloud incident disrupting multiple financial sectors across the region.

The exercise enabled Forum members to strengthen their mutual understanding of one another’s incident response playbooks, identify possible supervisory interventions, and collaborate on measures to mitigate the impact of a severe public cloud service disruption. The exercise also demonstrated the importance of close collaboration and communication between financial regulators and CSPs during an incident to improve situational awareness, inform decision-making, and coordinate efforts to recover from disruptions.......
https://bit.ly/4fPEf0d

Asia Pacific financial regulators and global cloud service providers (CSPs) in the Financial Sector Cloud Resilience Forum[1], established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), conducted a crisis management tabletop exercise on 6 November 2024. The exercise, which is the first of its kind in...

15/11/2024

Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia increase flights between Changi Airport and , deepen agreement

Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia, the flag carriers of Singapore and Indonesia respectively, are deepening their partnership with increased flight frequencies between Singapore Changi Airport and Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, and an expanded codeshare agreement.

Singapore Airlines will increase its daily services between Jakarta and Singapore from six to eight, starting from 22 November 2024. Meanwhile, Garuda Indonesia will expand its daily flights from four to six, effective 1 December 2024. This will further improve the connectivity between Changi Airport and Jakarta, two major economic hubs in Southeast Asia.....
https://bit.ly/3ZaIAWs

Singapore Airlines
Garuda Indonesia
Changi Airport

13/11/2024

Singapore Commits US$500 Million in Matching Concessional Funding to Support in Asia

At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, announced that the Singapore Government has committed up to US$500 million in concessional funding to support the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) last year.

FAST-P is a blended finance initiative which brings together international public, private and philanthropic partners to support Asia’s decarbonisation and climate resilience. The Singapore Government will pledge up to US$500 million as concessional capital, to match dollar-for-dollar, concessional capital from other partners, including other governments, multilateral development finance institutions and philanthropies. This combined pool of concessional capital will be used to crowd in commercial capital and other sources of finance to support Asia’s green transition, and raise up to US$5 billion to support Asia’s green and transition financing needs. FAST-P was announced by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean at COP28 in December 2023....
https://bit.ly/3CqgjCe

Grace Fu
Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment singapore


Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership