Vessels in Singapore waters will have access to wireless broadband soon, allowing real-time and data-sensitive communications between ships and their customers and business partners.
Reports say by early next year activities that could only be done onshore will be possible offshore, from regulatory filings, to broadband communications, to real-time access and navigational data.
In his opening address at the 2nd International Maritime - Port Technology and Development Conference (MTEC) in Singapore today, Singapore's Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim officially launched the Infocomm@SeaPort programme.
The Infocomm@SeaPort programme is a $12 million joint initiative by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) to encourage greater development and the use of maritime infocomm technologies (ICT).
The pilot project of the Infocomm@SeaPort programme is the Wireless-broadband-access for Seaport (WISEPORT), said Lim, which has been developed to provide vessels with high bandwidth, low-cost and secure wireless broadband access up to 15 kilometres from Singapore's coastline.
When the system is in place by early 2008, said Lim, Singapore will be the first port in the world to offer wireless broadband connectivity throughout its waters.
According to Lim, WISEPORT will benefit ships, harbour craft and all other port users who will be able to submit documentation, request for bunkering and ship chandling services and access other electronic services more efficiently and at a lower cost.
Lim said that WISEPORT would also allow the development of new services, such as the updating of shipboard software and electronic navigational charts using wireless communications.
MPA and the IDA are currently choosing a service provider to set-up the hardware for WISEPORT while a Call for Collaborations for the development of new content and software applications for WISEPORT is scheduled to be issued soon.
An IDA official told Portworld today that some of the other projects the Infocomm@SeaPort programme is exploring include conducting trials in the use of technology to improve car transshipment planning and operations, and automating labour-intensive processes in the bunker supply chain.
Reports say by early next year activities that could only be done onshore will be possible offshore, from regulatory filings, to broadband communications, to real-time access and navigational data.
In his opening address at the 2nd International Maritime - Port Technology and Development Conference (MTEC) in Singapore today, Singapore's Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim officially launched the Infocomm@SeaPort programme.
The Infocomm@SeaPort programme is a $12 million joint initiative by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) to encourage greater development and the use of maritime infocomm technologies (ICT).
The pilot project of the Infocomm@SeaPort programme is the Wireless-broadband-access for Seaport (WISEPORT), said Lim, which has been developed to provide vessels with high bandwidth, low-cost and secure wireless broadband access up to 15 kilometres from Singapore's coastline.
When the system is in place by early 2008, said Lim, Singapore will be the first port in the world to offer wireless broadband connectivity throughout its waters.
According to Lim, WISEPORT will benefit ships, harbour craft and all other port users who will be able to submit documentation, request for bunkering and ship chandling services and access other electronic services more efficiently and at a lower cost.
Lim said that WISEPORT would also allow the development of new services, such as the updating of shipboard software and electronic navigational charts using wireless communications.
MPA and the IDA are currently choosing a service provider to set-up the hardware for WISEPORT while a Call for Collaborations for the development of new content and software applications for WISEPORT is scheduled to be issued soon.
An IDA official told Portworld today that some of the other projects the Infocomm@SeaPort programme is exploring include conducting trials in the use of technology to improve car transshipment planning and operations, and automating labour-intensive processes in the bunker supply chain.