French president Emmanuel Macron and prime minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong / Image via video
Aviation and maritime are among the new areas in which Singapore and France will cooperate, as they upgrade their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest possible tier of cooperation.
The two countries will enhance cooperation in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, cybersecurity, innovation and training.
The enhanced maritime partnership agreement was inked by French minister for transport Philippe Tabarot and Singapore’s acting minister for transport and senior minister of state for finance Jeffrey Siow on the occasion of president Macron’s state visit to Singapore, and the elevation of relations between the two countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The maritime and port authority of Singapore (MPA) and the directorate general for maritime affairs, fisheries and aquaculture (DGAMPA) have agreed on this enhanced maritime partnership to further strengthen maritime cooperation between Singapore and France.
Under the agreement, various pilot projects will be conducted on many sectors.
On maritime decarbonisation, projects include the development of a bio-methane supply chain and certification framework to ensure compatibility with various sustainability standards and adherence to accounting framework under the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change and the International Maritime Organization.
The first bio-methane bunkering trial in Singapore under this partnership, based on the certification framework, will also be conducted with shipping company, CMA CGM, as part of this initiative.
On digitalisation, MPA will also partner HAROPA PORT and the port of Marseille-Fos to advance port call optimisation and maritime digitalisation.
This includes trials with container giant CMA CGM on ship-to-shore data exchange to automate and streamline port clearance processes, reduce manual documentation, and improve the timeliness and accuracy of operational data using internationally recognised standards.
In addition, both parties will also promote maritime innovation and entrepreneurship by encouraging maritime companies, investors, and startups from both countries to participate in open innovation platforms such as the PIER71TM Smart Port Challenge, ZEBOX, and Landing Pad.
