The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is hosting the 12th International Safety@Sea Week from 15 to 18 July 2025, focusing on future maritime safety challenges. The event, themed ‘The Future of Maritime Safety: Navigating the Next Frontier’, gathers over 1,800 participants from more than 40 countries to discuss pressing issues in the maritime sector.
Senior Minister of State Murali Pillai highlighted the sector’s complex challenges, including geopolitical tensions and climate change, and emphasised the need for workforce readiness, collaboration, and technological innovation. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation, stressed the importance of robust safety frameworks and government-industry collaboration.
A key highlight of the week is a multi-agency chemical spill exercise off Singapore’s southern coast, involving 11 vessels and over 150 personnel. The exercise simulated a methanol spill, using drone-enabled technologies and the Maritime Digital Twin to enhance situational awareness. This initiative is part of MPA’s preparations for methanol bunkering, with 13 applications for methanol bunker supplier licences currently under evaluation.
Additionally, MPA is conducting Singapore’s first shore-to-ship drone trials in collaboration with Skyports Drone Services, TFG Marine, and CBS Ventures. These trials aim to improve efficiency and reduce safety risks in port operations. Findings will inform the development of safety protocols for future drone operations.
MPA also plans to install smart buoys equipped with environmental sensors from 2026, enhancing navigational safety through real-time data transmission. The Safety@Sea Awards were presented to companies for their contributions to maritime safety, recognising efforts in search and rescue and innovative safety solutions.
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