DNV and Singapore Institute of Technology Deepen Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Development of Remote and Autonomous Maritime Systems

DNV and Singapore Institute of Technology Deepen Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Development of Remote and Autonomous Maritime Systems

(IN BRIEF) DNV and the Singapore Institute of Technology have formed a new research collaboration to advance remote and autonomous maritime operations, building on an existing initiative backed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The partnership will focus on translating emerging technologies into practical applications by developing operational frameworks, engineering solutions, and workforce capabilities for shore-based vessel management. It also emphasizes education and training through simulation and curriculum development to prepare the maritime workforce for digital transformation. By fostering closer collaboration between industry, academia, and regulators, the initiative supports Singapore’s ambition to lead in next-generation maritime innovation.

(PRESS RELEASE) HØVIK, 22-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — DNV has entered into a fresh research partnership with Singapore Institute of Technology to help accelerate the evolution of remotely operated and autonomous maritime systems in Singapore. The agreement deepens collaboration between industry and academia and builds on earlier work supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, particularly a Joint Industry Project exploring shore-based control of bunker vessels.

The collaboration is designed to move beyond conceptual discussions and into practical implementation. Both organisations will focus on shaping the engineering requirements, operational procedures, and workforce competencies necessary to enable vessels to be monitored or supported from land-based control environments. Central to this effort is the further development of SIT’s Future Ship and System Design Lab, which will serve as a platform for experimentation and applied innovation.

Rather than addressing technology in isolation, the initiative takes a systems-level approach, combining data-driven research with real-world operational insights. By doing so, it aims to bridge the gap between emerging maritime technologies and their safe, reliable use in daily operations. Industry partners participating in the Joint Industry Project will contribute expertise to assess which onboard functions can be transitioned ashore without compromising safety or efficiency.

Another key dimension of the agreement is capability building. The partners intend to strengthen Singapore’s maritime talent pipeline by introducing new learning pathways, simulation-based training tools, and research-led curriculum enhancements. These efforts are expected to support professionals as they adapt to increasingly digital and automated maritime environments.

The partnership also creates a framework for closer interaction between regulators, researchers, and commercial operators. This integrated approach is expected to accelerate knowledge exchange and ensure that developments in remote and autonomous shipping remain aligned with regulatory expectations and operational realities.

Through this collaboration, Singapore continues to position itself at the forefront of maritime transformation, advancing technologies that are set to redefine how vessels are operated and managed in the future.

Media contacts:

Margrethe Andersen
Head of External Communications, Maritime
margrethe.andersen@dnv.com

SOURCE: DNV