MPA and PSA open call for autonomous feeder vessel trials in live port corridors

Singapore opens inter-terminal routes for unmanned container vessel operations.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and PSA Singapore (PSA) have launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop and test autonomous inter-gateway container feeder vessel operations within the Port of Singapore.

In a press release, the MPA and PSA said the initiative targets container feeder vessels that move containers between terminals, such as Tuas and Pasir Panjang, supporting daily port operations within the Port of Singapore.

It added that applicants are expected to address several key considerations in their proposals, including navigational safety, interaction with manned vessels, traffic management, system redundancy, and cybersecurity.

Other considerations include human-machine interfaces, regulatory compliance, operational limits, technological readiness, and risk mitigation for inter-gateway deployment.

The plan includes a remote operations centre that integrates vessel sensor data and port traffic information to support monitoring and intervention during autonomous operations.

Proposals must also include business models and meet PSA operational and integration requirements.

The programme also considers roles in remote vessel monitoring and operations, autonomous systems engineering, maritime data analytics, and technical maintenance linked to autonomous operations.

The EOI will close on 24 July 2026 at 12 p.m.