Singapore and Norway launch joint maritime research funding initiative
Singapore and Norway have launched a joint maritime research funding initiative aimed at developing technologies and operational solutions to reduce emissions from international shipping.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) are collaborating on the programme, which will support research involving institutions from both countries.
The initiative provides for up to S$2.7 million in funding for eligible research partners in Singapore and NOK 20 million for their Norwegian counterparts. The funding will be allocated through a competitive application process, with selected projects expected to run for three to four years.
The latest initiative builds on a memorandum of understanding signed by MPA and RCN in April 2024, covering maritime research, development, education and training. It is the third joint maritime research call between the two countries, following earlier programmes in 2015 and 2018.
Research to focus on alternative fuels and vessel efficiency
The programme will support research across three principal areas related to shipping decarbonisation.
The first covers alternative marine fuels and energy infrastructure, including technologies for the safe handling and storage of new fuels, next-generation bunkering systems and charging infrastructure for electric vessels.
Projects may examine the safety risks associated with alternative fuels, improvements in fuel supply and handling arrangements, and scalable solutions for marine electrification and shore power.
The second research area focuses on vessel energy efficiency and emissions reduction. It includes hydrodynamic optimisation, energy-saving devices, onboard energy management systems and digital technologies for monitoring and improving vessel performance.
These technologies are intended to address both the design and operation of vessels, with the objective of reducing energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Digitalisation and green shipping operations
The third research area concerns digitalisation, autonomy and greener maritime operations.
Potential projects include data-driven voyage optimisation, just-in-time vessel arrivals, autonomous and remotely operated maritime systems, and improved information exchange between ships, ports and logistics networks.
Research may also address technologies supporting green shipping corridors, including methods for monitoring performance and coordinating operations across maritime transport networks.
The programme is designed to encourage collaboration between research organisations in Singapore and Norway, drawing on the technical and operational expertise of both countries’ maritime sectors.
Industry participation is encouraged to help ensure that research addresses practical challenges and has potential applications in commercial shipping.
Applications scheduled to open in December
The funding framework provides for up to S$1 million per project for Singaporean research participants and up to NOK 7 million per project for Norwegian participants, subject to eligibility and the programme’s requirements.
Applications are scheduled to open on 2 December 2026, with a submission deadline of 20 January 2027.
The earliest permitted start date for selected projects is 1 July 2027, while the latest permitted commencement date is 1 October 2027.
The research initiative follows previous Singapore–Norway collaborations that supported four maritime research projects addressing energy efficiency, emissions reduction and emerging maritime technologies.
The latest call seeks to expand that cooperation into areas increasingly relevant to international shipping, including alternative fuel infrastructure, electrification, digital vessel operations and emissions management.
Funding decisions will follow the evaluation of submitted proposals, and no individual research projects have yet been identified as recipients under the new programme.
