Launched on 26 September 2007 by Mr Raymond Lim, Minister of Transport, the Infocomm@SeaPort programme is a collaboration between the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
The two agencies will jointly set aside S$12 million for the programme, which aims to catalyse business transformation and operational excellence in the port community through the use of innovative infocomm technologies. The programme forms part of IDA's Intelligent Nation 2015 IT Masterplan, or iN2015, to transform Singapore into an intelligent nation and global city using infocomm. The development and implementation of industry-wide ICT systems will achieve the three thrusts that we will focus on to:
- Enhance the connectivity and communications between players in the seaport community;
- Promote operational and service excellence; and
- Increase opportunities for the seaport community to attract new businesses.
WISEPORT
WIreless-broadband-access at SEaPORT (or WISEPORT) is a collaboration between MPA and IDA to offer mobile wireless broadband network within 15km from Singapore's southern coastline, to allow real-time and data-intensive communications between the ships and their customers and busines partners. WISEPORT aims to provide high bandwidth, low-cost and secure communications channels for ships in our port within the coverage zone to more than 13,000 vessels that navigate through Singapore waters annually.
WISEPORT Content and Applications CFC
MPA and IDA have jointly launched Content and Applications Call-For-Collaboration (CA CFC) on 6 December to develop innovative content and applications for, and encourage the early adoption of, WISEPORT. These content and applications could range from messaging services that allow ships to communicate more cost-effectively with other parties, to applications that allow ships to book maritime services through the high-speed network.
For details on the WISEPORT Content and Applications CFC, please click here.
Upcoming Projects
Another project will explore the use of new infocomm technologies for transhipment operations, in particular car transhipments. In 2006, over 900,000 vehicles were transhipped through Singapore, posting double-digit growth in the last four years. With this trend expected to continue, new infocomm technologies could be used to handle the increasing demand, and new services could be explored.
A third project will examine the use of infocomm to automate current labour-intensive bunker fulfilment processes, provide timely and accurate information to support decision-making, and enhance operational efficiency in bunker trade. Singapore is the world's top bunkering port, supplying more than 28 million tonnes of bunker fuel in 2006. The government is currently in discussion with potential vendors, bunker and shipping industries to develop the scope of the project.
More details on the upcoming projects will be announced later.
