Singapore Maritime Institute

What Singapore Maritime Institute does

Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) is a Singapore government-supported research institute established in 2011 under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to coordinate maritime R&D, talent development, and industry-academia collaboration. SMI does not generate commercial revenue; instead, it operates the SMI Fund and MTP Fund to allocate public R&D grants to public research performers (universities, A*STAR institutes, polytechnics) covering up to 100% of approved direct costs, and co-funds six Maritime Centres of Excellence spanning sustainable shipping (MESD at NTU), modelling and simulation (C4NGP at NUS), maritime safety (CEMS at Singapore Polytechnic), autonomous vessels (CEAOPS at TCOMS), cybersecurity (iTrust at SUTD), and high-performance computing and AI (IHPC at A*STAR), plus the SIT-led Future Ship & System Design Programme.

SMI's underlying technology portfolio is research-oriented rather than product-oriented. Notable funded platforms include the MariOT cyber-physical shipboard cybersecurity testbed (world's first industrial-grade of its kind), the Maritime AI Research Programme led by IHPC, the DASH dispersion-modelling tool for future maritime fuels (ammonia, methanol), ammonia-fuelled marine engine research via an international consortium, and harbour-craft electrification pilots across three consortia covering 30 enterprises and research institutions. Knowledge dissemination runs through the annual SMI Forum, Singapore Maritime Research Conference, SMI Horizon interview series, and Research Spotlight video series.

SMI's go-to-market is event- and grant-driven, not sales-driven. It convenes ecosystem players through flagship events, competitive R&D grant calls, talent programmes (SMI–MaritimeONE Postgraduate Scholarship ranging S$100,000–S$850,000, internships), and bilateral international partnerships (Norway's RCN, MIT Maritime Consortium, UNCTAD, India's Ministry of Ports). Customers are segmented horizontally: the maritime industry (shipping, ports, offshore) seeking R&D support for decarbonisation and digital transformation; the research community needing industry-relevant funding and pathways to commercialisation; and government agencies (MPA, MOT) requiring coordinated national R&D strategy and talent pipeline development. SMI's headquarters is in Singapore, and its operating geography is concentrated in Singapore with selective international reach through named partnerships.

Name

Singapore Maritime Institute

Legal name

Singapore Maritime Institute

Website

https://maritimeinstitute.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) is a Singapore government-supported institute that allocates maritime R&D grants and coordinates six Centres of Excellence, talent programmes, and industry-academia partnerships to advance decarbonisation, digitalisation, autonomy, and cybersecurity in Singapore's maritime sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Research & Development Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Naval Shipbuilding Program Management & Defense Contracting Support (IMAJABAO)

Keywords

• Maritime R&D funding
• Maritime research coordination
• Maritime technology roadmaps
• Maritime talent development
• Maritime innovation programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government R&D Funding Allocation: SMI is a government-supported institute that allocates public R&D funding to maritime research. It does not generate commercial revenue from product sales. SMI Fund supports up to 100% of approved direct costs for public research performers (A*STAR institutes, universities, polytechnics). MTP Fund provides additional multi-agency R&D funding support.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) is a government-supported institute that funds, coordinates, and steers maritime research and development in Singapore. It operates R&D grant programmes (SMI Fund and MTP Fund), anchors a network of seven Maritime Centres of Excellence across local universities and A*STAR institutes, runs postgraduate scholarships and internship pipelines, and publishes national strategy artefacts such as the Singapore Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap 2026.

Product overview

Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) operates as a coordinated portfolio of R&D funding programmes, research centres of excellence, and talent development initiatives rather than a unified software product. The SMI Fund and MTP Fund provide R&D grants to public research performers. Six Maritime Centres of Excellence (MESD, C4NGP, CEMS, CEAOPS, iTrust, and IHPC) anchor research in sustainable shipping, modelling and simulation, maritime safety, autonomous vessels, and cybersecurity. SMI's knowledge platforms include the annual SMI Forum, SMI Horizon interview series, and SMI Research Spotlight Series. Notable research platforms include the MariOT cyber-physical training facility and the Maritime AI Research Programme. Talent pipelines are supported through scholarships, fellowships, and internship programmes. The Singapore Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap 2026 guides strategic priorities across autonomous port operations, alternative energy delivery, smart ships, and intelligent port services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MariOT: Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology - world's first industrial-grade cyber-physical platform for shipboard cybersecurity training and testing
• Singapore Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap 2026
• Singapore Maritime Research Conference (SMRC)
• SMI Forum

Products and services

• SMI Fund R&D funding programme that supports maritime research activities in Singapore, covering up to 100% of approved direct costs for public research performers including A*STAR research institutes, universities, and polytechnics.
• MTP Fund (Maritime Transformation Programme Fund) Multi-agency funding mechanism supporting collaborative R&D projects that transform Singapore's maritime sector through technology development and capability building.
• Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD) Joint SMI-NTU research centre focused on green port and shipping research, including biofuels, ammonia bunkering dispersion, and other decarbonisation topics.
• Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports (C4NGP) Joint SMI-NUS research centre developing modelling, simulation, port optimisation, and digital twin capabilities for next-generation ports and maritime systems.
• Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS) Joint SMI-Singapore Polytechnic research centre focused on improving maritime navigation safety and onboard vessel operations through automation, human-machine interface, AI, and autonomous shipping research.
• Centre of Excellence for Autonomous & Remotely Operated Vessels (CEAOPS) Hosted within TCOMS, CEAOPS is the national focal point for R&D in maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) and remotely operated vessels, covering sensing, wave prediction, voyage performance, and vessel structural health assessment.
• iTrust, Centre for Research in Cyber Security SUTD-hosted cyber security research centre that develops cyber-physical system solutions, including the MariOT maritime cybersecurity testbed for shipboard operational technology.
• Maritime AI Research Programme (IHPC) A*STAR IHPC-led programme developing maritime data excellence and AI modelling excellence with industry use cases, in collaboration with other IHLs, research institutes, industry partners, and public sector agencies.
• MariOT (Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology) World's first industrial-grade cyber-physical platform providing high-fidelity simulations of maritime navigation, propulsion, and power management systems for hands-on cybersecurity practice, hosted at iTrust/SUTD with funding from SMI.
• Future Ship & System Design (FSSD) Programme S$20 million SIT-led programme developing and validating innovative technologies for energy efficiency and sustainability in electric harbour craft, supporting Singapore's maritime decarbonisation goals through workshops, simulations, and practical design exercises.
• SMI – MaritimeONE Postgraduate R&D Scholarship Postgraduate scholarship supporting top local talents to pursue PhD and Masters research in maritime R&D, with scholarship values ranging from S$100,000 to S$850,000 covering tuition, stipend, research allowance, airfare, and accommodation.
• SMI Internship Programme 3-6 month internship offering hands-on experience in maritime innovation, with engagement across SMI's research ecosystem, strategic initiatives, and R&D project management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Singapore ports handled 3.22 billion GT of vessel arrivals and 44.66 million TEUs of container throughput in 2025, a record year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and core.

• Singapore Shipping Association (SSA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026MPA and SSA signed an MoU (with SMI support) to accelerate AI adoption among maritime companies across ship agency, ship management, chartering, shipping operations, and bunkering. SSA has already conducted initial AI training runs with 21 companies ahead of a broader 2026 rollout.
• India Ministry of Ports, Shipping and WaterwaysmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026India and Singapore are developing a roadmap for digital corridor collaboration and green shipping infrastructure during Singapore Maritime Week 2026, following up on a Letter of Intent signed last year. Both nations complement each other — India offering cheaper green energy and resources, Singapore providing its status as a global shipping hub.
• NUS Centre for Hydrogen InnovationsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026SMI funds a three-year NUS-led research project to develop a next-generation ammonia-fuelled marine engine using novel in-cylinder reforming gas recirculation. The international consortium includes Shanghai Jiao Tong University, NTU, A*STAR National Metrology Centre, Keppel Energy Nexus, Daihatsu, and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), targeting near-zero emissions to support IMO's 2050 net-zero target.
• MIT Maritime ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2025SMI is an innovation member of the MIT Maritime Consortium, a formal collaboration bringing together MIT researchers from multiple departments with industry partners to address greenhouse gas emissions in maritime shipping and support IMO decarbonisation goals. SMI joins founding members ABS, Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp., and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, alongside innovation members Foresight Group, Navios Maritime Partners L.P., and Dorian LPG. Research areas include nuclear technology, autonomous operations/AI, hydrodynamics, alternative fuels, cyber-physical situational awareness, and 3D printing for onboard manufacturing.
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPA is SMI's primary government co-founding partner. Joint initiatives include harbour craft electrification projects (three consortia funded), Singapore Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap 2026 (co-launched), MariOT cybersecurity facility (co-commissioned), AI adoption MoU with Singapore Shipping Association, and multiple joint R&D grant calls. SMI and MPA jointly fund R&D programmes and coordinate national maritime technology priorities.
• A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMI awarded S$4.78 million to IHPC in August 2022 to lead the Maritime AI Research Programme, the first phase focusing on maritime data excellence and AI modelling excellence with industry use cases. IHPC co-develops technologies with other IHLs, research institutes, industry partners, and public sector agencies in the maritime ecosystem.
• iTrust, Centre for Research in Cyber Security (SUTD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMI awarded S$4.77 million to iTrust at SUTD in October 2022 to develop the MariOT (Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology) system, the world's first industrial-grade cyber-physical platform for shipboard cybersecurity training. Development is in collaboration with ABS and Singapore Polytechnic's CEMS. MariOT hosts cyber exercises and supports research on maritime cybersecurity threats.
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU) - Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMESD, launched in October 2017, is the first maritime research centre supported by SMI, jointly funded by SMI and NTU. MESD focuses on green port and shipping, working with stakeholders to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. MESD conducts research on biofuels, ammonia bunkering dispersion, and other decarbonisation topics.
• National University of Singapore (NUS) - Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports (C4NGP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC4NGP was jointly established by SMI and NUS in 2018 to support maritime and port industries in developing innovative capabilities. The centre focuses on modelling and simulation, port optimisation, and digital twins. It collaborates with companies to improve technical know-how, efficiency, and productivity.
• Singapore Polytechnic - Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEMS, jointly launched by SMI and Singapore Polytechnic in September 2018, focuses on improving maritime navigation safety and operations onboard vessels. CEMS collaborates with industry and research communities to develop new technological solutions and training systems that reduce maritime incidents, with research covering automation, human-machine interface, AI, and autonomous shipping.
• Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS) - Centre of Excellence for Autonomous & Remotely Operated Vessels (CEAOPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEAOPS is the national focal point for R&D in maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS), hosted within TCOMS. The centre drives research and technological innovation for safe and efficient MASS operations and remotely operated vessels in complex sea environments, advancing sensing, wave prediction, voyage performance, and vessel structural health assessment.
• Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) - Future Ship & System Design ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIT was awarded S$20 million by SMI in June 2024 to lead the Future Ship & System Design (FSSD) Programme, in collaboration with government agencies, IHLs, and industries. The programme focuses on developing and validating innovative technologies for energy efficiency and sustainability in electric harbour craft, providing training through workshops, simulations, and practical design exercises.
• Research Council of Norway (RCN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMI and RCN launched a joint call for bilateral funding of research projects in maritime research, with NOK 15 million available from RCN for Norwegian partners and up to S$3 million from SMI for Singaporean partners. Research areas cover maritime arctic research, navigation safety, ship operation & safety, green shipping, and ship-port operations.
• UNCTADmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore has partnered with UNCTAD to support global maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation efforts, including training initiatives planned for developing countries.
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the SMRC x MTEC/ICMASS Conference 2026, co-organised by SMI, MPA, SINTEF Ocean, and NTNU, serving as a key platform for advancing thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and deepening partnership in maritime research and innovation.
• Tropical Marine Science Institute, TCOMS, CNRS@CREATEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborators on the DASH (Dispersion Analysis and Simulations for Handling of Future Fuels) project led by A*STAR's IHPC. DASH develops an integrated suite of tools combining high-fidelity physics-based models, data-driven surrogate models, and real-time environmental data to predict hazardous plume/spill dispersion for future maritime fuels (ammonia, methanol). Supported by MPA.
• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABS is a key industry collaborator on multiple SMI-funded initiatives: co-developer of MariOT cybersecurity testbed with iTrust and CEMS, and consortium partner on the NUS ammonia-fuelled marine engine research project. ABS provides classification society expertise and industry validation for new maritime technologies.
• Harbour Craft Electrification Consortia (Keppel FELS, SeaTech Solutions, Sembcorp Marine)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree consortiums led by Keppel FELS, SeaTech Solutions, and Sembcorp Marine received MPA and SMI funding to research, design, build, and operate fully electric harbourcraft. Each consortium comprises 30+ enterprises and research institutions including DNV, ABB, Rolls-Royce, NTU, NUS, SIT, and A*STAR IHPC, targeting both commercial and technical viability of electric harbourcraft over five years.
• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUTD hosts the MariOT (Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology) system, developed by iTrust at SUTD with SMI funding and in collaboration with MPA, ABS, and CEMS. SUTD provides the academic infrastructure and cybersecurity research expertise for this world's-first industrial-grade cyber-physical shipboard training platform.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• DNV: DNV is a Norwegian classification society with a large maritime R&D and advisory division serving global shipping. DNV is a member of SMI-funded harbourcraft consortia and operates at much broader commercial scale than SMI's grant-coordination role.
• ClassNK: ClassNK is Japan's maritime classification society conducting research on hydrogen, ammonia, and autonomous vessel technologies. Like ABS and Lloyd's Register, it overlaps with SMI's research portfolio but as a commercial classification player rather than government research coordinator.
• Lloyd's Register: Lloyd's Register is a UK-based maritime classification society with a global R&D and innovation agenda covering decarbonisation, autonomy, and digital shipping. Comparable in subject-matter focus to SMI but operates commercially rather than as a public funding intermediary.
• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS): ABS is a leading maritime classification society and a co-developer of MariOT and a consortium partner in NUS's ammonia engine research. As an SMI Flagship/Strategic partner, ABS complements SMI's research focus with classification and assurance services across the global fleet.
• Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection, and certification body with a Marine & Offshore division active in alternative fuels and autonomous shipping research. Operates in adjacent maritime R&D space but on a commercially contract-driven model rather than public grant funding.

Direct peers

• Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST): KIOST is South Korea's national ocean and maritime research institute covering ocean science, maritime engineering, and ocean policy. It plays a similar coordinating role to SMI but anchored in Korea's shipbuilding and offshore industry with a broader ocean-science mandate.
• Marine Institute Ireland: Ireland's Marine Institute is the national agency for marine R&D, maritime development, and seafarer training, with a structure that mirrors SMI's combined funding, research, and talent mandate. Comparable size and public funding model, with regional rather than global focus.
• SINTEF Ocean: SINTEF Ocean is a Norwegian applied research institute covering maritime, marine, and offshore sectors, including ocean-going and autonomous vessels. SMI is an active partner via the SMRC x MTEC/ICMASS Conference 2026, and SINTEF's mandate is structurally close to SMI's maritime R&D coordination role.
• Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN): MARIN is a Dutch independent maritime research institute that conducts hydrodynamics, ship handling, and offshore research for the global maritime sector. Like SMI, it operates as a non-commercial research body coordinating multi-institution programmes and technology development, but is centred in Europe rather than Asia.
• Research Council of Norway (MAROFF programme): The Research Council of Norway funds maritime research through its MAROFF programme with comparable call-based funding models and consortium requirements. SMI and RCN co-fund the MNS bilateral call (NOK 15M / S$3M), reflecting overlapping mandates as national maritime R&D funding agencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sgsmi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maritimeinstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Singapore Maritime Institute