MPA and Ocean Infinity to Trial Autonomous Marine Operations in Singapore Port Waters

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and marine technology company Ocean Infinity will trial autonomous and remote marine operations in Singapore’s port waters as the city-state prepares for wider adoption of next-generation maritime technologies.

The collaboration was announced on 17 August 2026 during the 13th Singapore Safety@Sea Week and will examine how autonomous vessels and Remote Operations Centres can be safely introduced into one of the world’s busiest maritime environments.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Ocean Infinity will contribute operational experience from its autonomous and remotely operated marine systems, while MPA will support the design and assessment of trials from a safety and regulatory perspective.

Autonomous Operations Move Into Singapore Port Waters

Ocean Infinity operates robotic marine systems including its Armada fleet, remotely operated vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles and shore-based operations centres.

Its Armada fleet has received a statement of compliance from classification society DNV for remote operations.

The Singapore trials are expected to provide operational data on how autonomous vessels interact with conventional vessel traffic and how Remote Operations Centres can support marine activities from shore.

Both organisations will also work together on capability development, operational experimentation and research partnerships.

The initiative builds on Singapore’s broader autonomous shipping programme.

MPA and PSA Singapore previously launched an Expression of Interest to develop autonomous inter-gateway container feeder vessels capable of moving containers between Singapore port terminals with minimal human intervention.

That programme includes plans for remote operations centres integrating vessel sensor information with port traffic data for real-time monitoring and intervention.

New Port Operations System Improves Situational Awareness

MPA has also operationalised a new Integrated Port Operations Command, Control and Communications (IPOC) system to improve situational awareness across Singapore’s port waters.

Developed with the Defence Science and Technology Agency and ST Engineering, the system consolidates live information from multiple sources to provide MPA officers with a real-time view of port activities.

Map-based tools allow officers to coordinate operations, share information and identify potential risks more quickly.

The system is intended to strengthen MPA’s ability to manage increasingly complex vessel movements and respond to incidents across Singapore’s busy maritime environment.

Singapore already operates an extensive Vessel Traffic Service covering its port waters and the Singapore Strait, where high vessel traffic makes real-time monitoring important for safe and efficient navigation.

Near-Miss Reporting System Strengthens Maritime Safety

A separate initiative launched during Safety@Sea Week focuses on improving how the maritime industry learns from incidents that almost resulted in accidents.

The National Maritime Safety at Sea Council and Singapore Shipping Association introduced the Singapore Near Miss Reporting System, providing a confidential channel for maritime personnel to report near-miss events.

Reports will be received independently and anonymised before relevant safety lessons are shared with the wider maritime community.

The initiative is intended to encourage greater reporting of operational risks without identifying individuals or organisations involved.

Near-miss data can provide operators with information on recurring hazards and unsafe operating conditions before they result in more serious incidents.

Safety Remains Central to Maritime Automation

As autonomous shipping technologies develop, Singapore is placing safety and operational assurance alongside technology deployment.

MPA’s autonomous inter-gateway feeder programme requires developers to consider areas including navigation safety, interaction with crewed vessels, traffic management, system redundancy, cybersecurity, human-machine interfaces and regulatory compliance.

The Singapore Registry of Ships has also introduced a Smart (Autonomous) notation covering different levels of vessel autonomy, ranging from crewed ships with automated decision support to fully autonomous vessels.

These initiatives provide a framework for testing how autonomous technologies can operate safely alongside existing maritime traffic.

Singapore Expands Autonomous Maritime Capabilities

The partnership with Ocean Infinity forms part of Singapore’s wider effort to introduce more autonomous and AI-enabled systems into port operations.

MPA has said it will expand unmanned surface vessel trials from the second half of 2026, including applications designed to improve surveillance, early detection, operational efficiency and resilience.

At the same time, investments in Remote Operations Centres, integrated port monitoring and near-miss reporting are strengthening the supporting infrastructure around these technologies.

Together, the initiatives show Singapore moving beyond individual autonomous vessel trials towards a broader operating environment where ships, shore centres and port authorities are increasingly connected through real-time data and remote-control systems.