Speech by Minister of State for Transport and Culture, Community and Youth Mr Baey Yam Keng at the Future of Transport Motion

1.          Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion.

2.          Members have spoken about what the future of transport could hold, and why we must invest today to capture new opportunities tomorrow and remain competitive globally. I fully agree. The seeds of the future must be planted today, through sustained investments in technology, systems and our people.

3.          As Acting Minister Jeffrey Siow mentioned, MOT plans to invest $800 million over the next five years on transport research and innovation. I will elaborate on how our investments are strengthening our transport system today, while preparing Singapore for the future.

4.          Transport connects Singapore to the world through our aviation and maritime networks, underpinning our competitiveness as a global hub. We cannot take this connectivity for granted. We must continue to plan ahead and invest in the future of transport.

5.          I will cover three points.

a.          First, how our investments are making a difference today;

b.          Second, why we must continue to innovate for the future; and

c.          Thirdly, why we must build the future together with the next generation.

6.          Across aviation, maritime and land transport, our investments are already improving reliability and efficiency today. Given the focus of this Motion, I will highlight examples from aviation and maritime.

7.          In aviation, CAAS invested in next-generation air traffic management concepts and tools, to optimise flight operations amidst growing traffic density.

a.          One focus area is collaborative decision-making. An example is the Regional Collaboration Platform, which is an experimentation tool that allows air navigation service providers to share information and optimise air traffic flows across the region.

b.          In July 2025, CAAS and seven regional partners successfully trialled the automated exchange of simulated flight management information, to collaboratively manage flights across the region.

c.          Over time, this will lead to more punctual and predictable flights, as well as lower fuel use and emissions.

8.          In maritime, similar improvements are taking place. MPA invested in smart port operations and vessel coordination, to improve efficiency across port activities.

a.          For example, AI-enabled vessel voyage planning helps shipping companies plan more fuel-efficient routes and coordinate vessel arrivals more effectively.

b.          Although it is at the prototype stage, simulated trials have shown reduced fuel use, pointing to more efficient scheduling and faster turnaround times.

c.          In a major hub like Singapore, this translates to lower costs and smoother, more reliable movement of goods.

9.          These examples show how our investments are strengthening reliability and efficiency of our transport system today.

10.          While we continue to improve the transport system today, we must also prepare for what lies ahead. We face tightening manpower, limited space, and growing climate challenges. This makes innovation even more critical.

11.          Therefore, we will invest $800 million to support research in transport and connectivity, with approximately two-thirds directed towards cross-cutting capabilities in autonomy and digital twins.

12.          A key challenge is tightening manpower, even as our transport system becomes more complex. As such, we are investing in autonomy to fundamentally improve how operations are carried out.

a.           We will focus on new operating models involving autonomous vehicles, vessels and robotics across our port, airport and logistics network. This also builds on the point raised by Mr Ang Wei Neng on advancing the use of autonomous vehicles in aviation and maritime.

b.           This will allow us to handle higher volumes more efficiently and enable workers to focus on tasks that require human judgement and expertise.

c.           Once developed, we will pilot these solutions with the industry. With our high volumes of cargo and supportive regulatory environment, Singapore can serve as a real‑world “living lab” to test and deploy these solutions at scale. Once proven here, they can be adopted internationally.

d.           This reinforces the point raised by Mr Jackson Lam, that Singapore should not only be a transport hub, but a transport innovation hub.

13.           Autonomy alone is not enough. We must also improve how the transport system works as a whole. Therefore, we will invest in digital twins to manage the transport network more intelligently.

a.           For example, by integrating data across port, airport and logistics network, we can track cargo flows in real-time, anticipate disruptions, and adjust operations more effectively.

b.           This also aligns with Ms Tin Pei Ling’s suggestion to deepen digital twin capabilities, alongside proposals by Mr Sharael Taha and Mr Edward Chia to move towards a more integrated sea-air logistics control tower.

c.           To build our digital twins, we are strengthening our common digital infrastructure to facilitate sharing.

d.           We are leveraging platforms such as the Singapore Trade Data Exchange or SGTraDEX which Ms He Ting Ru had raised, to strengthen such sharing, and seeking more partners for existing use cases and to drive new ones.

14.           At the same time, we will continue to deepen sector‑specific capabilities across aviation, maritime and land transport. I will elaborate on aviation and maritime, which are closely related to this Motion.

15.           In aviation, we will focus on next-generation air navigation services.

a.           As air traffic grows, we need to manage more flights safely and efficiently.

b.           We will invest in AI-enabled air traffic flow management to better balance traffic demand with airport capacity, enabling smoother and more efficient flights.

16.           In maritime, we will continue to strengthen our smart maritime operations and services, and support the safe use of alternative maritime energy.

a.           As vessel traffic increases, we need to manage more activities within limited land and sea space, as well as manpower constraints.

b.           We will invest in AI-enabled port analytics and predictive traffic management to improve efficiency and reduce vessel turnaround times.

c.           As the sector transits to alternative fuels to reduce international shipping’s carbon footprint, we will also invest in research to ensure they can be delivered and bunkered safely.

17.           Together, these efforts will help us to do more with less. We will make better use of our manpower in a tighter labour environment, while using less space and emitting less carbon, so that Singapore remains strong as a global transport and connectivity hub.

18.           Mr Dennis Tan mentioned that Singapore cannot rely solely on adopting technologies developed elsewhere. This is why we are building our own capabilities in areas where we have unique strengths and operational advantages. As part of the $800 million investment, we will support our Institutes of Higher Learning, research institutions and transport companies to develop Singapore-based expertise, generate valuable intellectual property, and export to global markets.

19.           Ultimately, the value of innovation depends not just on what we develop, but on how it is applied in real operations. Our small and medium enterprises, or SMEs, will play a key role in making this happen.

20.           As rightly pointed out by Mr Jackson Lam, Mr Edward Chia and Mr Lee Hong Chuang, SMEs are a critical part of our transport ecosystem and must be supported to digitalise and remain competitive.

21.           Government agencies have worked with the industry to support SMEs in adopting digital solutions.

a.           For example, the Sea Transport Industry Digital Plan provides a clear roadmap to guide maritime SMEs in adopting digital solutions at each stage of their growth, while building the necessary skills.

22.        To complement this, we have also introduced hands-on programmes.

a.           Under the MPA-Singapore Polytechnic Maritime SME Digital Adoption Pilot Programme, SMEs gain knowledge on digital technologies and acquire practical experience in applying automation and data analytics to their operations directly.

b.           This helps them move from awareness to implementation, strengthening capabilities and improving productivity.

23.          Beyond sector-specific support, the Government also works with industry partners to help SMEs build capabilities and access overseas opportunities. This includes public-private partnerships such as the Singapore Business Federation’s Centre for the Future of Trade and Investment, which provides SMEs with advisory support on trade agreements, regulatory requirements and overseas opportunities.

24.           This brings me to my final point.

25.           The next generation is critical to the future of transport. They are not just future users of the system. They are our future planners, engineers, entrepreneurs and leaders who will shape what comes next.

26.           We have already seen how the next generation can make meaningful contributions.

a.           A good example is Pyxis. Mr Tommy Phun and Ms Lyn Phun are carrying forward their family’s maritime legacy from Eng Hup Shipping, which was founded in 1957. Even earlier, their grandfather used to drive a wooden tongkang along the Singapore River.

b.           Growing up, they spent much of their childhood in shipyards, immersed in the maritime environment. These early experiences shaped their interest in the industry, and they later chose to join it.

c.           They did more than just continue the business. As the sector decarbonises, they founded Pyxis to develop electric vessels and introduce new technologies. Their journey shows how the next generation can build on what came before them and help transform the sector.

27.           This is why we want to tap on this potential and build clear and structured pathways for the next generation, as highlighted by Dr Wan Rizal. Through scholarships, work attachments and mentorship programmes, we will continue to help young Singaporeans gain skills and build meaningful careers in the transport sector.

28.           The future of transport should be built for future generations and hence, it should be shaped with them.

29.           Mr Speaker, allow me to say a few words in Mandarin.

30.           交通的未来，不仅是科技的进步，更关系到国家的发展和整体竞争力。

31.           我们今天所见证的发展，是一代代人的努力累积的成果。正是因为先辈们打下了坚实的基础，我们才能不断创新，将新科技引入这个行业。

32.           令人鼓舞的是，新一代已经在为这个行业注入新的动力。他们在传承的基础上不断创新，推动行业迈向更高效、更具可持续性的愿景。

33.           这也意味着，这个行业正在开辟崭新的发展天地。我们的下一代将会有更多机会在这里大展拳脚。政府也将通过奖学金、培训和职业发展规划，引领他们踏入交通领域，发挥所长，贡献社会。

34.           薪火相传，生生不息。未来的交通是为下一代而建设的。因此，我们需要与他们携手共建。只要我们坚持科技创新与人才培训，新加坡的交通系统必将不断改善，继续造福国人。

35.           Mr Speaker, to conclude, our investments in transport research and innovation are strengthening our transport system today, while preparing Singapore and Singaporeans for the future.

36.           By investing in both innovation and people, we aim to build a transport system that not only serves the future generations well, but one that they will help to shape.

37.           Thank you.