Statement by Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, Singapore, at the 34th Regular Session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization

Madam President,

Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr Arsenio Dominguez,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Navigating a Shared Maritime Future  

1.     Our oceans are the lifeline of international trade. They connect nations, and drive economic opportunities and development. With global trade rising by an estimated US$300 billion within just the first half of this year, the importance of maritime transport will remain as the key enabler of our economies in the years ahead. 

2.     Yet, our maritime future faces strong currents. Shifting geopolitical dynamics, emerging threats of climate change and the relentless advancement of technology will disrupt maritime trade. 

3.     To overcome these challenges, Singapore will continue to stand behind the leadership of the IMO and collaborate with all IMO Member States via three key approaches.

4.     First, we must uphold the centrality of the IMO in promoting safe, secure and sustainable international shipping. In our increasingly fragmented global environment, we must defend the multilateral, rules-based order and work with one another to further the goals and objectives of the IMO. 

5.     Second, we need to embrace new technologies that enhance efficiency and future-proof our industry against emerging risks. Technologies such as smart shipping,  autonomous vessels, sustainable technologies and artificial intelligence will transform maritime operations. The IMO’s leadership will be pivotal in ensuring these advancements are adopted responsibly – such as by strengthening cybersecurity, governance, upskilling of the workforce and promoting equitable access to technology. The IMO’s plan to adopt a Strategy on Maritime Digitalisation by 2027 is an example of how the Organization ensures that it stays relevant in the face of rapid technological advancements. Singapore will also continue to partner Member States to harness innovation to achieve the IMO’s goal of reducing maritime emissions, and to build a resilient and sustainable maritime industry. 

6.     Third, the transition to a more efficient and sustainable maritime future must be inclusive. Issues such as digitalisation, decarbonisation, workforce reskilling and supply chain resilience cannot be addressed by a single State alone. We need to work closely to forge partnerships that create economies of scale and promote the adoption of common standards, for the benefit of all. This includes the IMO Net Zero Framework, for which we hope that all Member States can work closely to achieve consensus expeditiously. Singapore remains committed to providing capacity building and training opportunities for fellow IMO Member States, to develop the next generation of the maritime workforce. I am happy to share that the Singapore – IMO Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) has trained more than 2400 maritime professionals from over 100 States to date. 

7.     To conclude, Singapore remains steadfast in our commitment to work with the IMO and fellow Member States to secure the future of maritime. Collaboration has always been the cornerstone of our shared success. Singapore will continue to contribute actively and effectively to IMO’s work to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of global shipping.  Together, we can chart a course towards a maritime future that is safe, secure, sustainable and inclusive, bringing prosperity to all. 

8.      Thank you very much.