Singapore Pushes Maritime Digitalisation Toward 2030

Singapore is taking a broader approach to maritime digitalisation, moving beyond individual port-automation projects toward a connected digital ecosystem spanning ships, terminals, regulators, service providers and supply-chain partners.
 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) says digitalisation, AI and trusted data will be increasingly important to maintaining Singapore's competitiveness and resilience as the maritime industry changes. MPA is also developing a Maritime Singapore Master Plan, targeted for release in 2027, with AI and maritime innovation among its priorities.
 

🚢 Tuas Port is at the centre of the strategy
 

Singapore's Tuas Port is being developed as an automated, intelligent and sustainable port. When fully completed in the 2040s, it is planned to handle 65 million TEUs annually, consolidating Singapore's container operations at a single location.
 

The objective is not simply to automate cranes and vehicles. MPA is building digital capabilities that can connect port operations, provide real-time information and improve coordination across the wider maritime ecosystem.
 

🌐 OCEANS-X connects maritime systems

One of the latest developments is OCEANS-X, launched by MPA in April 2026.

The platform provides system-to-system connectivity between maritime companies and government agencies, allowing trusted data to move directly between systems rather than relying on manual submissions.

OCEANS-X already hosts more than 100 APIs and datasets and supports digital port clearance and electronic exchange of ship certificates. MPA says the platform is also designed to allow companies and startups to develop analytics and AI-enabled services using maritime data.
 

🧠 Maritime Digital Twin moves toward simulation

Singapore is also developing a Maritime Digital Twin that combines real-time and historical port data with simulation and modelling tools.

The system allows industry and government users to test what-if scenarios, analyse operational conditions and evaluate new solutions before implementing them in the physical port.

Current pilots include marine supply-service coordination and incident response, with the digital twin bringing together information such as vessel traffic, weather, drone feeds and environmental models.

This represents an important shift:

Digital twin → Simulation → Prediction → Decision support

The technology is no longer being positioned simply as a visual representation of port activity.

⚓ Just-in-Time port calls

Singapore's Just-In-Time Planning and Coordination Platform is another major part of the digital strategy.

The platform coordinates vessel arrivals and marine services so ships can better align their arrival times with available port resources. Since its launch in 2024, more than 150 port users and service providers across container, general cargo and bulk sectors have joined the platform, according to MPA.

The goal is to reduce unnecessary waiting and improve vessel turnaround by connecting different participants around a shared operational picture.

⛽ Digital bunkering

Singapore has also moved digitalisation into bunker operations.

Since 1 April 2025, bunker suppliers in Singapore have been required to provide digital bunkering services and issue electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs) as the default.
 

The system is designed to improve documentation efficiency, data accuracy and information security. MPA estimates digital bunkering could save the industry close to 40,000 man-days annually.
 

📡 AI and real-time connectivity

Singapore is also strengthening the infrastructure required for these digital services.
 

MPA has rolled out Maritime 5G coverage across major fairways, anchorages, terminals and boarding grounds. The high-bandwidth, low-latency network is intended to support applications including digital bunkering, autonomous vessels, drones and remote inspections.

From the second half of 2026, MPA is also expanding trials of AI-enabled unmanned surface vessels for surveillance, anomaly detection, hazard monitoring and hydrographic operations.

🔗 The bigger picture

Singapore's strategy is increasingly about connecting the entire maritime ecosystem:
Ships → Port → Terminal → Marine services → Customs → Data platforms → AI → Supply chain

That is different from simply installing automation inside a terminal.

The direction is toward a port where real-time data can move between stakeholders, AI can support decisions, and digital twins can simulate changes before they happen in the real world.

Singapore's approach shows where smart-port development is heading:
Automation makes operations faster.
Connected data makes them smarter.
AI makes them more predictive.

And the long-term objective is not just a smarter terminal. It is a digitally connected maritime ecosystem that can respond faster to changing trade, technology and operational conditions.