Wärtsilä has secured the prototyping tender for the groundbreaking Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System (NGVTMS) project, awarded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
This project aims to revolutionize maritime safety and operational efficiency at one of the world’s busiest ports. Wärtsilä recorded the order in the third quarter of 2024.
“MPA is committed to the maritime industry’s digital transformation and green transition by leveraging cutting-edge technology and working with like-minded partners to enhance the safety, efficiency and sustainability of port operations,” commented David Foo, Assistant Chief Executive (Ops-Tech) at MPA.
As Singapore strengthens its position as a leading global maritime hub, rising traffic volumes underscore the need for more advanced and proactive traffic management solutions.
Foo further added, “MPA awarded the tender to three companies, including Wärtsilä, to develop the NGVTMS prototype using an agile approach, based on open system architecture. With its innovative solutions and deep domain knowledge, Wärtsilä will play an important role in this project and help explore new standards for maritime traffic management.”
In response, the MPA is spearheading efforts to implement AI-powered technologies to improve navigational safety and port efficiency. Following a thorough evaluation process, Wärtsilä and other industry leaders were selected in April 2024 to undertake this ambitious initiative.
“The NGVTMS initiative represents a collaborative venture aimed at redefining the future of maritime traffic management through advanced technology and shared expertise. Wärtsilä is honoured to bring our state-of-the-art solutions and deep industry knowledge to this transformative project, helping to establish new benchmarks in the field,” explained Hannu Mäntymaa, Vice President for Voyage Services, Wärtsilä Marine.
Over the next 15 months, Wärtsilä will work at the MPA’s Maritime Innovation Lab 2.0, focusing on the development of an open-architecture system enhanced with cutting-edge features, such as data analytics to identify traffic hotspots and machine learning algorithms to predict potential collisions. This technology will allow vessel traffic officers to safely manage growing traffic volumes and increasingly complex scenarios.
Wärtsilä’s Vessel Traffic Management Systems are already in use in more than 55 countries, with over 300 installations worldwide, according to the company’s statement.
