Opening Remarks by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Mr Baey Yam Keng at the MaritimeONE Scholarship And Tripartite Maritime[...]

Mr Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, Singapore Maritime Foundation,

Corporate Leaders and Scholarship Sponsors,

Scholarship recipients,

Parents and family members,

Introduction

1. Good evening. I would like to begin by congratulating the recipients of the MaritimeONE and Tripartite Maritime Scholarships (TMSS) and all your loved ones.

2. We are gathered today to celebrate not only the current achievements of the 73 recipients but also the potential and promise they bring to the industry as the next generation of maritime talent.

3. Maritime Singapore has grown over the years - we are a global hub port and the world's leading International Maritime Centre. We achieved remarkable milestones in annual vessel arrival tonnage, container throughput and bunker fuel sales last year, and we are home to over 180 international shipping companies across various segments. We maintain our competitiveness by supporting maritime businesses and seeking ways to enhance efficiency and optimise resources.

4. For instance, just this week, after a successful four-month trial, MPA allowed night movement of line-towed container barges at Pasir Panjang Terminal. This will improve port efficiency without compromising safety.

5. To continue to sustain our growth, we need a strong pipeline of maritime talent, who are prepared to venture into unchartered waters. The maritime industry is a dynamic sector with plenty of opportunities, including in emerging areas like digitalisation and sustainability. Let me elaborate.

Digitalisation and Cybersecurity

6. Firstly, embracing digitalisation is essential to maintaining competitiveness and enhancing efficiency, safety, and resilience in a changing global landscape.

7. An example is the digital bunkering initiative. Launched by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) last November, bunker sales data can now be sent seamlessly under this initiative, enhancing productivity and transparency, and furthering Singapore's position as a trusted and leading bunkering hub.

8. As we push ahead with other digitalisation changes, the maritime workforce must be equipped with new skills. With greater adoption of digitalisation, there is also a growing need for the maritime ecosystem to build stronger cybersecurity resilience.

9. There is currently only limited talent pool of cybersecurity professionals that companies can tap on. Companies may also find it difficult to attract and retain talents on their own.

10. To mitigate this, MPA has established the Maritime Cyber Assurance and Operations Centre. This centre pools and optimises resources across the industry, and bolsters incident prevention through real-time cybersecurity monitoring of partners' cybersecurity systems, information dissemination on cyber threats and advisories on system recovery and response measures.

11. The frequency and scale of cybersecurity threats is only set to grow and it is critical that we not only attract new cybersecurity professionals, but also equip our workforce across all roles with knowledge and capabilities to raise the overall cyber-ready posture of the industry.

Sustainability

12. Secondly, our commitment to sustainability and to develop Singapore as a multi-fuel bunkering hub calls for expertise in emerging green skills. As international shipping progresses towards the International Maritime Organization's target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the demand for alternative fuels and renewable energy technologies will increase.

13. MPA is working closely with industry and international partners to ensure the safety and scalability of alternative fuels, and to prepare the maritime workforce to handle these fuels safely and effectively. For example, MPA and its partners are working to develop national standards as well as other operational and safety protocols to support commercial-scale bunkering operations for alternative marine fuels.

14. We also have initiatives for training and skills development to handle cleaner fuels. These include the Methanol Bunkering Training Programme developed by the Singapore Maritime Academy in partnership with MPA, and the Maritime Energy Training Facility by MPA and 22 global partners. These initiatives will enable professionals to obtain the necessary skills, and reskill and upskill throughout their careers. This is essential as we prepare for the widespread adoption of alternative fuels and solidify Singapore's position as a multi-fuel bunkering hub.

Upskilling, Reskilling and Attracting Talent

15. To ensure that the maritime workforce is well-equipped to embrace new job opportunities arising from this transformation, we will continue to work closely with the industry and our maritime unions to nurture our local talent, invest in our workforce and grow capabilities.

16. Internships, such as the MPA Global Internship Award, and scholarships such as the MaritimeONE and TMSS programmes, enable us to identify and develop local talent from a young age. Mid-career programmes, such as the Maritime Cluster Fund Management Associate Programme and the Maritime Leadership Programme, help companies grow local capabilities for mid-career talents and groom them into future industry leaders.

17. Today, we are awarding 63 MaritimeONE Scholarships and ten Tripartite Maritime Scholarships, worth approximately $2.6 million in total. This year also marks many firsts for the MaritimeONE Scholarships.

18. For the first time, we are awarding MaritimeONE Scholarships to (i) students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, (ii) students doing a double degree in accountancy and data science and artificial intelligence at Nanyang Technological University and (iii) students pursuing Doctorates and Masters in engineering under the Singapore Maritime Institute - MaritimeONE Postgraduate R&D scholarship.

19. For example, Mr Sharul Baggio Bin Mohamed Roslan, our Postgraduate R&D Scholar, is currently in his first year of pursuing a Doctor of Engineering at the Singapore Institute of Technology.

20. He seeks to advance research in areas such as maritime decarbonisation, renewable energies, system modelling, and digital twinning, to achieve the eventual goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships and ports. We wish him the very best.

21. For the ten TMSS recipients this year, seven will pursue a Diploma in Nautical Studies while three will pursue a Diploma in Marine Engineering. They will be embarking on an exciting journey in seafaring.

22. Many TMSS scholars have attained their Certificate of Competency Class 1 (COC 1) and have returned to shore to establish successful careers within maritime. For instance, Mr Abuzar Bin Yusman was awarded the TMSS in 2009, attained his COC 1 and is now working ashore as a marine superintendent at United Maritime.

23. Another example is Mr Aaron Chan Fu Hao, who was awarded the TMSS in 2010, attained his COC 1 and is currently working with the American Bureau of Shipping as a Surveyor. These are just some of the alumni of the TMSS programme who have successfully transited from sea to shore.

24. We are also investing in our seafarers as they are an important part of the workforce in facilitating international trade. For example, the Tripartite Maritime Training Awards is an alternative pathway for mid-career individuals to join the seafaring career. The Singapore Maritime Officers' Union and the Employment and Employability Institute currently fund the awards which prepare its graduates to access opportunities at sea and ashore, forming a Singapore core of seafarers

25. To show our commitment, MPA will be providing support of over $1.5 million to the revamped Tripartite Maritime Training Awards to attract and train more aspiring seafarers.

26. MPA will work with our key stakeholders such as the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) and Singapore Shipping Association, to take proactive steps to enhance Singapore as a hub for maritime talent. The launch of the MPA-SMF Joint Office for Talent and Skills earlier this year aims to focus on talent development and support professionals at every stage of their careers. This initiative invites individuals to explore the diverse opportunities available in the maritime sector and seek guidance from the Joint Office as they consider their career paths.

27. SMF also organises induction programmes for our scholars to instil valuable principles through activities such as tree planting and supporting the vulnerable. These well-grounded values will undoubtedly guide our scholars in their future endeavours and empower them to challenge the status quo.

28. We will continue to nurture and support talents in achieving their aspirations to make a meaningful impact on the maritime industry.

Conclusion

29. In conclusion, the maritime industry is at the cusp of a transformation that presents new and exciting opportunities that could shape the future of shipping. I would like to thank all the sponsors of the scholarships and awards today, and commend you for your foresight in helping us to grow our pipeline of maritime talent.

30. Once again, my heartiest congratulations to our scholarship recipients and your loved ones. I wish you the very best as you embark on this voyage.

31. Thank you.