Singapore accelerated its pace of adopting addictive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing technology as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed two relevant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the sixth Global AM Summit on Wednesday.

The first MoU was signed by MPA with the PSA Corporation Limited (PSA), the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) and the 3D MetalForge Pte Ltd, aiming at establishing the world's first on-site AM production facility for port applications, according to a joint news release.

The facility, to be located at Singapore's Pasir Panjang Terminal, will feature state-of-the-art printers capable of producing AM parts for port equipment, and use a specialized maritime digital cloud supported by blockchain technology to guarantee the safety of file transfers.

The second MoU was signed with NAMIC and the Singapore Shipping Association to collaborate on an AM Joint Industry Programme for marine parts.

The programme focuses on establishing the commercial viability, technical feasibility and regulatory compliance behind the use of AM for marine parts, and will bring together a comprehensive ecosystem of partners from across the value chain, the news release said.

Singapore is a leading maritime hub in the world, featuring not only a fleet of more than 4,700 vessels on its register, but also continued innovation and strong maritime services environment.