Capt. Daknash Ganasen, Senior Director (Marine Safety & Port Operations) at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), didn’t mince words at the 5th SAFETY4SEA Singapore Forum. The maritime world is changing faster than ever, he said, with technology reshaping operations, new fuels redefining sustainability, and the seas growing busier and more complex. Amid this transformation, one thing must remain constant—safety.
Singapore’s maritime success is built on collaboration, and as the port grows, so does the need to uphold safety as a fundamental value, not just a compliance measure. The numbers speak for themselves: in 2024, the Port of Singapore handled approximately 3.1 billion gross tonnage in vessel arrivals, 622 million tonnes of cargo throughput, and over 41 million TEUs. Bunkering volume exceeded 50 million tonnes, with a growing share of alternative fuels like LNG, methanol, and biofuels. Yet, behind every milestone lies a deeper question: how do we ensure that growth never comes at the expense of safety?
For Singapore, maritime safety is not about checking boxes or meeting KPIs. It’s a national commitment embedded in policy, international cooperation, and daily operations. As a party to more than 30 IMO conventions and protocols, Singapore enacts and enforces robust laws to protect both life and the marine environment. The results are encouraging—over the years, the number of maritime incidents within Singapore’s territorial waters has shown a significant downtrend. But success should never lead to complacency. Each incident represents a human story, a reminder of why safety must always come first.
To navigate this new era, Singapore is focusing on three key pillars: embracing technology and innovation, building emergency preparedness, and fostering a safety-first culture.
**Embracing Technology and Innovation**
Technology is the cornerstone of Singapore’s transformation, not for its sophistication, but for how it enhances human decision-making and awareness. Earlier this year, the MPA launched the Maritime Digital Twin, a dynamic, real-time digital replica of the port. This tool integrates live data from multiple sources to create a comprehensive situational picture, simulate and test “what-if” scenarios, detect anomalies, and predict issues or potential incidents—enabling swifter, data-driven responses.
The Next-Generation Vessel Traffic Management System (NGVTMS), an AI-enabled system, transforms how vessel navigation is managed. Like a GPS for maritime traffic, NGVTMS can predict traffic congestion, identify collision risks, and empower operators with the insights needed to advise ships safely through Singapore’s busy waters. Initiatives such as DigitalPORT@SG™ streamline port clearance and coordination, while the Active Anchorage Management System, currently in development, will enable real-time anchorage monitoring—improving planning and enhancing navigational safety.
**Building Emergency Preparedness**
As the maritime industry moves toward alternative fuels and greener technologies, emergency preparedness becomes increasingly critical. New fuels bring new risks, and Singapore must be ready to respond to complex scenarios. During this year’s Safety@Sea Week, the MPA led a large-scale multi-agency exercise involving over ten government agencies and industry partners, simulating a methanol leak at sea. The exercise tested coordination in spill containment and crew evacuation, while showcasing drone-enabled 3D imaging, remotely operated vessels, and chemical plume modeling tools to enhance situational awareness and support decision-making. This forward-thinking preparedness ensures that Singapore remains ready not only for today’s risks but also for the emerging challenges of tomorrow’s energy transition.
**Fostering a Safety-First Culture**
Ultimately, technology and systems can only go so far without a strong safety culture. Safety begins with people. The Safety@Sea Singapore campaign, launched in 2014, remains a cornerstone of the national effort to promote a safety-first mindset across all levels of the industry. The National Maritime Safety at Sea Council (NMSSC) and the MPA-Industry Safety Work Groups serve as ambassadors for safety, identifying on-the-ground issues, reviewing training needs, and sharing best practices. Together with agencies like the Ministry of Manpower and the Workplace Safety and Health Council, Singapore continues to develop practical resources and initiatives that make safety an everyday habit—from the bridge to the port terminal, and from policy rooms to classrooms.
The maritime industry stands at an exciting crossroads. We have the tools, knowledge, and determination to build a future that is not only efficient and sustainable but fundamentally safer. Every one of us—whether developing new technologies, training seafarers, or making decisions on the bridge—holds the power to shape that future. Let us move forward not just informed, but inspired. The conversations we have, the policies we shape, and the standards we