The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Waterborne Transport Research Institute (WTI), an agency under China’s Ministry of Transport during the 2019 Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum (MPF) on 11 July.
The MOU seeks to enhance cooperation in information exchange and research and development (R&D) between the two agencies, in areas such as smart port technology, maritime safety, and environmental protection.
It was signed by Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of the MPA, and Fei Weijun, President of the WTI, at the side of the MPF.
The MPF and the China Maritime Forum (CMF) takes place from 11 to 12 July 2019 in Ningbo, China, to commemorate China Maritime Day on 11 July 2019.
The Chinese government designated 11 July every year as China Maritime Day.
The inaugural event was on July 11, 2005, celebrating the 600th anniversary of ancient Chinese explorer Zheng He’s maiden voyage in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
China Maritime Naitonal Day this year salutes the country’s fisheries, shipbuilders, maritime research, education industry and the country’s naval personnel.

First time Singapore is invited a sign of close relationship

Quah said, “In an increasingly challenging and uncertain environment, it is critical for the key maritime stakeholders to strengthen connectivity and share knowledge and best practices.
“Singapore hopes to contribute to this effort by collaborating with China in the areas of digitalisation such as electronic exchange of certificates and bills of lading to enhance port and supply chain efficiencies, and ultimately, global trade flows.”
Quah also spoke at the CMF, where she shared Singapore’s views on how digital and physical connectivity are important to bring about a more prosperous and interconnected world.
This is the first time Singapore is speaking at the CMF.