Singapore and Norway launch call for greener shipping research grant

SMI and RCN will provide grant worth $2.7m each for its local research partners.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) jointly opened a call for research to develop ways to decarbonise international shipping on 5 November.

Applications will be open on 2 December and close on 20 January next year.

The grant will focus on three key areas: Alternative fuels and energy infrastructure; Vessel energy efficiency and emissions reduction; and Digitalisation and greener shipping operations.

SMI and RCN will make available up to $2.7m  (NOK 20m) for their local research partners. Accepted entries may receive funding for up to four years.

The release said each proposal must involve research institutions and partners from Singapore and Norway to ensure that the studies address practical industry needs.

The initiative is under the MPA-RCN Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2024 on maritime research, development, education and training.

This is the third time both countries have called for a research grant, following 2015 and 2018 iterations which brought solutions to maritime energy efficiency, emissions reduction and emerging technologies.

1 NOK = 0.14 SGD as of 5 November