- MPA launched a new database on Singapore’s waters, called GeoSpace-Sea, similar to SLA’s OneMap to provide geospatial data for port and environmental management.
- GeoSpace-Sea initiative is a joint venture between the MPA, NUS, SLA, PUB and the National Environment Agency.
- The system to be developed in phases, with the first phase including the collation of hydrographic data.
- The initiative benefits Singapore marine conservation, climate change adaptation and disaster response.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched a new database on Singapore’s waters, from its coastlines to the seabed, on June 28, reports The Straits Times.
GeoSpace-Sea
The database is called GeoSpace-Sea and it aims to provide comprehensive geospatial data for –
- Port and coastal planning
- Environmental management
SLA’s OneMap
MPA deputy chief hydrographer Jamie Chen, compared the database to Singapore Land Authority’s (SLA) OneMap, which will give out geospatial data as well as land ownership information.
He added that this will put Singapore’s water ways to be used in a “safe and sustainable” manner.
Collaborative initiative
The GeoSpace-Sea initiative is a joint venture between the MPA, the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Tropical Marine Science Institute and 11 government agencies, including the SLA, PUB and the National Environment Agency.
Hydrographic data in first phase
The system will be developed in phases. The first phase should begin in the third quarter of this year and is expected to include the collation of hydrographic data, as well as habitat and marine environment data such as coastline details.
Future phases will see the initiative extended to institutes of higher learning and marine science institutes for marine science research, as well as the development of applications for coastal and seabed visualisation.
Benefits from the initiative
Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min, who attended the launch of the event at Raffles House in Fort Canning, said the initiative would benefit Singapore in a variety of areas, including marine conservation, climate change adaptation and disaster response.
He added that this high-quality hydrographic data will continue to support safe navigation. Also, further applications with marine knowledge will be feasible with the integration of other data to this database.
The MPA also discussed the possible development of such a system on a regional basis with representatives from other countries such as China and Japan.
WMU-Koji Sekimizu PhD Fellowship
The third Smart Ports Challenge, an annual competition in which start-ups compete to develop innovative solutions for the maritime industry, was also launched on June 28.
Earlier this week, the MPA in collaboration with the World Maritime University and former International Maritime Organisation secretary-general Koji Sekimizu – launched the WMU-Koji Sekimizu PhD Fellowship on Maritime Governance, which aims to assess the role and impact of maritime governance over the past 60 years.
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Source: The Straits Times
