Redefining Marine Data Management in Singapore: Introducing the "GEOSPACE-SEA" Project for Comprehensive Hydrospatial Awareness
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced the setting up of a national Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) called 'GeoSpace-Sea' in June 2019. This initiative was a collaborative effort involving 11 other government agencies and academic representatives, with the aim to deliver the marine component of the national SDI.
The establishment of GeoSpace-Sea was driven by several factors, including technological advances, strategic need, collaborations, and policy and funding support. While the exact four catalysts are not explicitly named in the search results, these factors can be inferred as contextual background.
Technological advances in satellite and remote sensing technologies have enabled the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data about the marine environment. This data is crucial for monitoring and managing Singapore's maritime and atmospheric environments for security, climate, and economic reasons.
The strategic need to move beyond port planning and produce a more comprehensive marine spatial plan and integrated urban coastal zone management was another catalyst. This is particularly important as Singapore has designated certain islands as its first Marine Park and recently announced its expansion of aquaculture to the southern waters.
Collaborations among academic, governmental, and industrial partners within Singapore and internationally have also played a significant role. These collaborations have led to the development of GeoSpace-Sea, which aims to enhance the repository with the integration of near real-time data and enable hydrospatial end-user applications.
Policy and funding support from Singapore’s government emphasizing science and technology in the geospatial, atmospheric, and marine domains have been instrumental in the initiative's success. For instance, 'The Singapore Blue Plan 2018' recommends a coordinated marine database for sustainable management of Singapore's sea space.
The first phase of GeoSpace-Sea aimed to establish partnerships, implement the Geographic Information System (GIS) infrastructure, and provide access to government stakeholders. The next phase is expected to create access for institutes of higher learnings and public end-user groups.
Figure 1 in the article depicts the diverse stakeholders and use-cases in Singapore's seascape, which involves government, industry, academia, and public users, with various use-cases and activities. GeoSpace-Sea is expected to be the source for integrated knowledge-based planning and development of Singapore, as stated by Professor Lui Pao Chuen, adviser to the Ministry of National Development and National Research Foundation.
The changing local seascape and threats from climate change impacts were also drivers for Singapore's GeoSpace-Sea initiative. The initiative complements Singapore's terrestrial-based spatial data infrastructure and supports a wide range of applications beyond safety and efficiency of navigation, including marine and coastal spatial planning, marine science research, climate change research, and disaster response.
The maritime industry contributes 7% of Singapore's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs over 170,000 people. With GeoSpace-Sea, Singapore aims to strengthen its position as a global maritime hub and ensure sustainable development of its marine resources.
- The setting up of GeoSpace-Sea, a national Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure, was driven partially by advancements in marine science and technology, such as satellite and remote sensing technologies, which provide crucial data for management of the coastal zone.
- Collaborations among academic, governmental, and industrial partners from both Singapore and international sources played a significant role in the development of GeoSpace-Sea, with the aim of enhancing its data repository and creating hydrospatial end-user applications.
- Policy and funding support from Singapore's government focusing on the geospatial, atmospheric, and marine domains, as in the Singapore Blue Plan 2018, have been instrumental in the success of GeoSpace-Sea.
- Climate change impacts and the changing seascape also served as drivers for the GeoSpace-Sea initiative, as it complements Singapore's terrestrial-based spatial data infrastructure and supports applications beyond navigation, such as marine and coastal spatial planning, marine science research, climate change research, and disaster response.
