Remarks by Senior Minister of State for Transport Mr Chee Hong Tat at the MaritimeONE Case Summit 2023

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.     Thank you for inviting me to the MaritimeONE Case Summit 2023. 

2.     Today, we have over 100 students from our universities and polytechnics, from both maritime and non-maritime courses, as well as business leaders from the maritime industry, here with us.

3.     This annual case summit is a clear demonstration of our industry partners’ strong support for developing our maritime talent, and showcases the enthusiasm and creativity of our young people in solving challenges faced by the maritime sector. These are real challenges that our companies are facing.

Key Challenges for the Maritime Sector

4.     In the years to come, the maritime sector will have to address three key challenges.

5.     First, supply chain resilience. We saw, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, the uncertainties in global supply chains. Countries imposed restrictions, and there has been multiple disruptions to our global supply chains. Besides thinking about efficiency, or “just-in-time” logistics, we now also need to factor in resilience, or “just-in-case” logistics. We are also facing rapidly changing consumer demand patterns which will test the resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness of the maritime sector. 

6.     Second, environmental sustainability. Today, emissions from international shipping account for about 3% of global emissions. It is important that while we work together to look for solutions to decarbonise, we must also try and look for a level playing field. A level playing field for decarbonisation based on a common set of rules will, as we invent new technologies and build new supply chains for net-zero fuels, allow us to maintain  the cost-competitiveness and resilience of the maritime sector. This will involve balancing various trade-offs.

7.     Third, maritime digitalisation. This is important for increasing the maritime sector’s efficiency and productivity. We  need to be able to move quickly to take advantage of new technologies that can expedite data flows, optimise scarce manpower, and integrate the global maritime system, whilst maintaining strong cyber defences. This will require a coordinated outreach effort to help our companies adopt these digital solutions and transform. This includes our local SMEs, so that the entire ecosystem can reap the benefits of digitalisation. It is crucial for us to move together, with the ecosystem as a whole – both large companies and SMEs – taking full advantage of the benefits of digitalisation. 

8.     There is also a need to work with overseas regulators, port authorities and international shipping companies to establish data sharing standards and protocols, while preserving sovereignty of different countries and safeguarding data privacy. This is not just an effort by Singapore, but rather a global effort.

Maritime Singapore is Prepared to Tackle the Challenges

9.     Maritime Singapore has been working hard to lay the foundations to face these challenges. 

10.    We have formed workgroups to streamline regulations and processes to enhance intermodal connectivity.

11.    We have charted the path to decarbonise our domestic harbour craft sector by 2050, as we work together with industry and academia to transit our new harbour craft to be electric or net-zero capable by 2030. 

12.    We are also digitalising port operations, through platforms such as digitalPORT@SG^TM, the development of our Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System, and the deployment of maritime 5G across our port waters by 2025.

The Way Ahead for Maritime Singapore 

13.    Moving forward, there are three areas of focus for Maritime Singapore which I believe will provide you with exciting opportunities for development, learning, and growth. 

14.    First, we need to continue to build upon our global reputation as a trusted hub, to position ourselves as the place to be for global R&D, capital, and ideas. We will develop a business-friendly regulatory environment built on consistent and credible principles.  We will also invest in R&D and new technologies to discover better solutions to tackle the challenges ahead.  

15.    Second, we will continue to work closely with industry partners and unions to further our talent development efforts. This is crucial. With our strong tripartite partnerships, we will ensure that Maritime Singapore is an attractive destination for both local and international talent, for sea- and shore-based roles, and ensure that our young people continue to have good exposure and development opportunities in the industry. Programmes such as the MaritimeONE Case Summit and MaritimeONE Scholarship are steps in the right direction to develop our local talent pool. 

a.     Girish Menon is a good example of how the MaritimeONE Scholarship exposes our students to a wide spectrum of maritime work at leading maritime multinational companies. Girish specialises in Maritime Business and Operations at Singapore Management University. As part of his scholarship, he has had internship opportunities with BW LPG, where he worked on post-fixtures and claims, and Rio Tinto, where he worked on alternative fuels.

b.      The MaritimeONE Scholarship has also allowed another student, Sean Ng, who is an NUS Computer Science undergraduate, to contribute his skills in data analytics to the digitalisation of the maritime industry. Sean is currently interning at X-Press Feeders, one of the top-20 container shipping companies in the world.

16.    Third, Maritime Singapore will continue to provide a conducive living lab for start-ups and MarineTech companies. Beyond facilitating regulatory sandboxes and pilots, which we will continue to do, we must be there, together with our companies, along every step of the way. From the conception of an idea, to the process of refinement and exploration through R&D, pilots, and trials, and finally the commercialisation of a new MarineTech product.  

17.    A key success factor is not only about the speed of discovering new ideas and technologies, but to deploy them effectively in our day-to-day operations to give our companies and workers a competitive advantage.  

We Must Take Risks and Be Comfortable with Setbacks

18.    The journey ahead will not be all smooth sailing. We must expect to encounter rough winds and stormy seas. We must be prepared to face these challenges head on.

19.    In Beijing’s Summer Palace, there is a majestic stone boat that sits in a scenic and tranquil lake. This stone boat was built by Emperor Qianlong, as a symbol of his aspirations for the Qing Dynasty – unshakeable and unsinkable. Unfortunately, this stone boat was also un-sailable.

20.    When we build ships, the purpose is not to keep them anchored in harbour, but to sail the oceans, reach new lands, and make new discoveries. There will be risks, challenges, and stormy seas. Throughout the journey, we will have to hone our navigational skills, watch out for bad weather, and steady the ship through rough waters. The skills of our captain and crew will be crucial.

21.    We must be willing to go beyond our comfort zones, and try something different. This is one of the best ways to stretch ourselves and learn something new.

22.    For example, if you are offered an overseas internship, take it up. Spending a few months in a new place will allow you to make new friends and expose yourself to new cultures. You may experience some challenges and hardships along the way, but this is one of the best ways for you to learn.

23.    I hope that our young people will not adopt a ‘fail-safe’ approach, but a ‘safe-fail’ approach. The maritime family will support you, and be there with you, as you bounce back from temporary setbacks and try again.

Conclusion

24.    To conclude, I would like to congratulate our MaritimeONE Case Summit finalists for your excellent performance, and innovative and detailed proposals to enhance the sustainability of the maritime sector. 

25.    I would also like to thank CMA CGM, Rio Tinto, as well as Swire Bulk and Swire Shipping for providing our students with experiential learning opportunities, and for sponsoring this year’s challenges. 

26.    Thank you, and I look forward to the presentations by our champion teams.