Kuok (Singapore) Limited Maritime Group, comprising PaxOcean Holdings Pte Ltd (PaxOcean), Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL) and POSH (PACC Offshore Services Holdings), today announced the launch of the Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA) at an MOU launch and formalisation ceremony held at the Shangri-La Singapore. The event was attended by representatives of the Alliance, senior industry leaders and graced by Guest-of-Honour, Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry.
The CSA members include the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), GenPlus, Jurong Port Singapore, Sea Forrest, Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), and TES. By 2030, the Alliance aims to build the next-generation of Singapore’s maritime ecosystem and accelerate the decarbonisation, electrification and advancement in energy-efficient logistics and engineering solutions. The CSA is expected to invest over S$20 million into various sustainability efforts over the next ten years.
Mr Tan Thai Yong, Chief Executive Officer, PaxOcean and Chairperson, CSA Council, said: “Innovation through vessel electrification is one of the significant ways to decarbonise the coastal maritime industry. To succeed, a robust private-public partnership approach is needed to build infrastructure, capabilities, technology and services, driven by a diversified talent pool. With the launch of the Coastal Sustainability Alliance today, we will create Singapore’s next-generation coastal ecosystem and contribute to the industry’s sustainability, resilience, and transition to a circular economy.
Our Alliance is committed to making this a reality, and we encourage further industry collaborations to scale the coastal ecosystem. We welcome more partners to join us on this journey.”
Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), said: “MPA congratulates all members of the Coastal Sustainability Alliance. We look forward to working closely with the Alliance to develop a sustainable maritime sector, in particular, shaping common standards for charging infrastructure and electric harbour craft and supporting the development of green financing mechanisms and solutions for green harbour craft.”
The multi-stakeholder effort is centred on five strategic areas:
1. Reduce carbon emissions by up to 50% with PXO vessel series – The CSA will adopt a suite of 10 innovative technologies designed into the vessels, such as wireless charging, advanced manufacturing and coastal twinning, with more in the pipeline. With a complete redesign of a conceptual, fully electric PXO series of vessels and floating platforms, the PXO vessels will demonstrate improved performance in energy efficiency and operating range, while reducing emissions.
2. Reduce e-waste and build a comprehensive E-charging infrastructure network – The CSA aims to reduce battery e-wastage by upcycling electric vehicle (EV) batteries into optimised modular battery packs to serve as Energy Storage Systems (ESS) for marine use. In conjunction, a comprehensive network of shore and mobile e-charging points along Singapore’s coastline will enable interoperable shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship charging of the PXO vessels and platforms.
Collectively, this will be Singapore’s first comprehensive, customised approach to decarbonise the logistics supply chain from vessel redesign, infrastructure and marine services in promoting cleaner and more efficient harbour crafts. It also supports the industry transition to a circular economy with reduced resource use and future-proofing the vessels with environmentally sustainable energy sources, such as solar and tidal.
3. Reduce marine traffic by 20% through logistics and fleet optimisation solutions – Utilising the range of PXO vessels and mobile coastal platforms, the Alliance targets to reduce Singapore’s coastal marine traffic and improve safety. The reduced congestion will be achieved through fleet optimisation and renewal, mobile floating platforms in selected locations in coastal waters off Singapore, and sea and aerial drones for last-mile deliveries to improve operational range and reduce downtime.
4. Foster a sustainable green supply chain and maritime business ecosystem by supporting the growth of SMEs and start-ups – By engaging the strengths of each Alliance member, the CSA intends to co-create viable innovation and business opportunities with local SMEs and start-ups to build a supply chain of sustainable logistics and engineering innovations, charging infrastructure and capabilities. This is poised to strengthen the competitiveness of the SMEs and uplift the entire value chain of the maritime industry.
5. Talent attraction and workforce upgrading – A future-ready talent pool is critical to maintaining Singapore as a leading global maritime centre. CSA expects to create new jobs, offer career growth opportunities, skills and reskilling training to increase the competitiveness of our Alliance members. The CSA will also work with educational institutions to pursue joint opportunities for young talents.
Creating the future E-Vessels: PXO Concept Vessel
The first phase of CSA’s efforts is to design and deploy 10 PXO vessels customised for Singapore’s coastal ecosystem by 2025.
To initiate the PXO design, Master Research Collaboration Agreements (RCAs) were formalised today between KSL Maritime Group and A*STAR as well as TCOMS to co-innovate, design and build a full electric vessel customised for Singapore’s maritime coastal ecosystem. The redesigned vessel is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 50%, lower energy consumption, and extend the operating range.
Using artificial intelligence (AI), a digital twin of the vessel will undergo operational simulations to achieve energy efficiencies for various harbour crafts. Additionally, integrating with TCOMS’ digital twin of Singapore’s port waters will support the predictive optimisation of marine traffic, harbour fleets and logistics flow and develop remotely managed vessels and drones in the coastal ecosystem.
The PXO conceptual redesign is expected to be revealed later this year, with plans to extend the ecosystem internationally from 2027 onwards.
Committed to Decarbonise the Maritime Industry
KSL’s Centre for Excellence Engineering R&D anchors the CSA initiatives, providing a comprehensive platform for systematic fleet optimisation, logistics optimisation and decarbonisation through electrification.
This is in line with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) strategic aim to promote domestic harbour craft decarbonisation, and for Singapore to be recognised as an international centre for maritime R&D. The CSA’s innovations and services are also aligned with Singapore’s green energy targets set out in the Singapore Green Plan 2030.