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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and DNV's Clean Technology Centre (CTC) have signed a partnership agreement to initiate and promote research, development and test-bedding projects in the areas of maritime environment and clean technologies.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Captain Khong Shen Ping, Assistant Chief Executive of MPA and the COO of DNV's Division Asia Pacific and the Middle East, Mr. Remi Eriksen at a ceremony in Singapore earlier today.

Commenting on the agreement, Eriksen said "We are delighted to work with MPA. We firmly believe that Singapore's collaborative model, involving businesses, academic institutions and government agencies will contribute to Singapore's fast growing clean tech industry and as a maritime knowledge hub."

DNV's Clean Technology Centre has previously signed co-operation agreements with established research institutions such as the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore.

"As an independent foundation with a strong technology base and risk management as our core area of expertise, DNV will fill a unique role in creating trust and confidence among players in the industry as new technologies and solutions evolve in the clean technology arena," Eriksen added.

"Through this agreement, both MPA and DNV demonstrate their commitment to Singapore's goal of developing into a global maritime knowledge hub," the MPA said in a statement.

Captain Khong commented: "Protecting the marine environment is one of the key challenges facing the international shipping community, and the MPA-DNV MOU reflects the firm commitment of both our organisations to protect and safeguard the marine environment. Being the world's busiest port and a major flag registry, Singapore is strongly committed to environmentally-friendly shipping and port activities, especially on the prevention and reduction of pollution from ships and port activities."

"Through our Clean Technology Centre we are working closely with a large number of customers from ship owners, operators, yards and financial institutions providing services from technology qualification of green shipping solutions to energy efficiency and risk management on green ship projects, said Bjorn Tore Markussen, Managing Director of the CTC. "We are convinced that a close co-operation with MPA will further accelerate maritime innovation in Singapore."