David Ee Straits Times 24 Oct 13;
SHIP operators looking for alternative fuel sources amid rising bunker fuel costs may find the answers through a maritime energy test-bed facility to be established in Singapore by 2015.
To be set up by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), the facility, the first of its kind in South-east Asia, will enable the shipping industry to research and test alternative fuels such as biodiesel and liquefied natural gas.
Companies will also be able to explore new technologies in the areas of emissions control and fuel additives, for example.
The establishment of the $8.1million facility, to be located on NTU's premises, was announced yesterday by SMI chairman Teo Siong Seng at the institute's annual forum.
Speaking after the event, NTU Energy Research Institute co-director Chan Siew Hwa said the research carried out at the facility would benefit maritime players. "Ship operators are under intense pressure because of rising fuel costs," said Professor Chan.
Cargo ships run on bunker fuel, which can account for more than 70 per cent of an operator's voyage expenses. As of last month, bunker fuel cost US$597 (S$740) per tonne, which was four times that at the end of 2008.
The facility will welcome scientists and engineers from around the world to conduct research there, and also aims to train maritime doctorate students.
At least 12 ship operators and equipment suppliers are already lined up to use it, said Prof Chan.
Mr Teo said that the facility could be a boost for the maritime sector here, which contributes about 7 per cent of Singapore's annual gross domestic product.
SMI executive director Lam Yen Chin agreed, saying the facility would "attract more business to the whole maritime value chain, ranging from local suppliers to shipyards and ports".
NTU sets up South-east Asia’s first green maritime energy test facility
The facility is expected to be ready by 2015
Today Online 24 Oct 13;
SINGAPORE – The first South-east Asia advanced maritime energy test facility for research and development work in green ship and port technologies will be set up by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in a joint fund with the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI).
SMI Chairman Teo Siong Seng announced this today (Oct 23). The facility is expected to be ready by 2015.
According to a statement, the SMI will contribute S$4.7 million over the next 10 years, while NTU will provide S$3.4 million, with support from the industry.
Mr Teo said: “The establishment of the Maritime Energy Test Bed will help in the translation of innovative technologies from lab-scale to large-scale application where new technologies will be tested prior to sea trials.”
The new facility is built according to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements, said Professor Chan Siew Hwa, Co-Director of ERI@N. It will also have a 1.5 megawatt diesel engine which can be modified to run on different fuels, as well as advanced equipment for research in energy storage, noise pollution and waste heat recovery.
“To develop new technologies for green ships and green ports, all aspects of energy usage have to be studied, from the type of fuel and its associated emissions issues, to the efficiency of engines and waste heat recovery systems,” said Prof Chan.
Maritime manpower training and development is also an important objective of the new facility as it will also be a platform to train PhD students and engineers, said MI@NTU executive director Lam Yen Chin.
“With the creation of new knowledge and green technologies, as well as skilled manpower, Singapore will be able to attract more business to the whole maritime value chain, ranging from local suppliers to shipyards and ports,” said Mr Lam.
“In addition to Singapore getting a share of the multi-billion dollar green shipping industry through R&D, this initiative will also help to promote Singapore’s international standing when it comes to environmental sustainability in the maritime industry.”
NTU to set up Southeast Asia's first green maritime energy test facility
Channel NewsAsia 23 Oct 13;
The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is setting up an advanced maritime energy test facility for research and development work in green ship and port technologies.
SINGAPORE: The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is setting up an advanced maritime energy test facility for research and development work in green ship and port technologies.
Called the Maritime Energy Test Bed, it will be open to scientists and engineers from both academia and industry, and is expected to be ready by 2015.
NTU and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) are jointly funding the centre, which they say will be the first in Southeast Asia.
SMI Chairman Teo Siong Seng said: "The establishment of the Maritime Energy Test Bed will help in the translation of innovative technologies from lab-scale to large-scale application where new technologies will be tested prior to sea trials."
SMI will contribute S$4.7 million over the next 10 years to the centre while NTU will provide S$3.4 million with support from the industry.
- CNA/de
