The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will invest more in technology in view of Singapore's push to capture new opportunities when the shipping market improves.

Speaking at the inaugural Singapore Maritime Technology Conference April 23, Singapore's senior minister of state for finance and transport Josephine Teo said that the MPA will call for new proposals under its Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT) to cover new areas for potential research and test-bedding of solutions.

Teo noted, "Since its inception over 10 years ago, the MINT fund has supported more than 270 research and development projects in areas such as port automation, marine environment, and navigation safety, resulting in innovations such as automation of port operations, a novel ballast water treatment process and a real-time under keel clearance monitoring system to prevent grounding of ships."

Calls for proposals will go out in June.

MPA will also extend its Green Technology Programme by another five years until 2021, with an additional commitment of SG$25m (US$18.6m), bringing total funding to SG$50m.

MPA will also increase co-funding to 70% for adopting green technologies that are developed locally.

Through the programme, technological enhancements such as propeller boss cap fine, diesel-electric engines, and bulbous bow modifications have been introduced to lower emissions and make shipping more environmentally sustainable, said Teo.