The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will partner with MPA to achieve the goal of full 5G standalone (SA) coverage over Singapore’s anchorages, fairways, terminals and boarding grounds by mid-2025. 5G coverage in the country’s current port waters will enable the establishment of Singapore’s 5G@SEA, a maritime testbed MDA will use to develop 5G use cases over the next decade.
The collaboration will be a key enabler in supporting Singapore’s Maritime ambition to handle 65 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) upon the completion of Tuas Port in the 2040s.Once developed by mid-2025, Singapore’s 5G@SEA Maritime testbed will accelerate marinetech research, development and facilitate testing of new applications. An initial use-cases will focus on remote assisted pilotage advisory (Rapa) for automation, productivity, and human safety.
Maritime 5G will enable remote pilotage of the ship via a shore-based control centre through real-time video imagery providing situation awareness of the vessel. With this in place, the pilot does not need to physically board the ship to greatly enhance safety according to IMDA.
Lew Chuen Hong, chief executive of IMDA, said: “As a nation with high ambitions for the transformative powers of 5G, we have rolled out our inland 5G coverage.
“In partnership with MPA, we now look to extend 5G coverage offshore. We look forward to being able to be one of the world’s first countries for automated ship movement and remote pilotage.”
Singapore’s 5G@SEA Maritime testbed will be a collaboration by IMDA’s 5G Innovation and Ecosystem Development Programme and MPA’s Innovation Lab. Under this partnership, local mobile network operator M1 will provide 5G SA network coverage.
