We should have been in Singapore this week, setting the agenda for digitalisation and decarbonisation. But in the absence of a Singapore Maritime Week this year we’ve drafted in guests from the heart of Maritime’s Lion City to offer up a view of how the sector is coping with the coronavirus challenges, whether we can expect the current disruption to catalyse innovation and why we should expect more disruption to come. Joining this week are Esben Poulsson, chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and Punit Oza, who’s supremely Singaporean CV includes positions at Klaveness Asia, the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration, Institute of Chartered shipbrokers and Singapore Management University.

Singapore’s forward planning is paying dividends, while its investment in digital technology and infrastructure should mean it is well-positioned to weather the health crisis

The port nation has launched a new test lab aimed at preserving the integrity of its mass flow meter-based regulatory regime

The ‘just-in-time’ initiative promoted by the MPA incorporates concurrent bunkering — ships can refuel while loading and unloading cargoes

The maritime industry in Singapore stakes a large part of its reputation on its foresight. As huge swathes of the shipping industry head into an economic storm, the city-state will be investing heavily in digital infrastructure. It will also strengthen regulatory and trading conditions to make sure it keeps its reputation in all economic climates

Although not everyone is convinced that digitalisation is going to transform the shipping world beyond all recognition, it seems clear that this time around, shipping companies will have to adapt to stay in business