RINA is expanding its Singapore Open Innovation Hub with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board, strengthening its applied research and deployment activity across maritime and energy technologies.
The Genoa-headquartered ship classification, inspection, certification, and consulting engineering group said the hub will translate applied research into operational technologies for industry use. The facility brings together industry, academia, and technology partners to co-develop solutions for maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, and workforce development.
The expansion is built around three priority areas. RINA will develop integrated digital twin technologies connecting vessels, ports, and hinterland systems, work on decarbonisation solutions including alternative fuels and new operating models, and build AI-enabled learning platforms to accelerate skills development.
The hub will support applied research, industry pilots, and large-scale deployment. Planned activity includes multi-dimensional digital twins, joint projects on alternative fuel adoption, and advanced training systems intended to close skills gaps as digital and low-carbon technologies move into operational service.
RINA plans to grow its Singapore-based research and innovation team with 13 new specialist roles over the next three years. The Singapore facility forms part of the company’s wider Open Innovation Hub network, which links demonstration facilities, applied research, training, and industry collaboration.
“We see the Singapore Open Innovation Hub as a catalyst for translating innovation into real operational value for the maritime and energy sectors,” said Imran Ibrahim, Director of the Open Innovation Hub Singapore at RINA. “By working closely with industry partners, regulators and research institutions, we are building an ecosystem that connects digitalisation, decarbonisation and workforce development.”
Digital twin development across vessels, ports, and hinterland systems reflects a shift towards connected performance modelling across maritime infrastructure. Bringing asset, port, and logistics data into a common engineering framework can support emissions reduction, operational planning, and more consistent deployment of new technologies.
Singapore gives RINA access to a concentrated maritime ecosystem, including port operators, shipowners, regulators, training bodies, research institutions, and technology developers. That mix supports commercial deployment as well as early-stage technical development.
Soo Haw Yun, Vice President Global Enterprise Division at EDB, said the launch of RINA’s first Open Innovation Hub for Asia in Singapore reflected the country’s role as a maritime hub and trusted base for companies seeking to accelerate innovation.
Further information on RINA’s global innovation activity is available through its Open Innovation Hubs programme.
