Welcome Remarks by Mr. Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, at Hapag-lloyd’s Vessel Naming Ceremony of the Singapore Express

Mr Mark Frese, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Procurement Officer of Hapag-Lloyd AG,

Mr Ong Kim Pong, Chief Executive Officer of PSA International,

Dr Norbert Riedel, Ambassador of Germany to Singapore,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1.     Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you here today at the Vessel Naming Ceremony of the Singapore Express.

2.     Last year, Hapag-Lloyd’s first dual-fuelled LNG ultra large containership, Berlin Express, called at the Port of Singapore during its maiden voyage. Today, I would like to congratulate Hapag-Lloyd on the naming of its newest vessel, the Singapore Express at Tuas Port. 

Hapag-Lloyd’s contributions to Maritime Singapore

3.     Singapore and Germany enjoy a strong and well-established relationship. As one of the key ambassadors of Germany here, Hapag-Lloyd has been a longstanding partner of Maritime Singapore.

4.     Hapag-Lloyd’s Singapore office was established in 1991 as their foray into the Asian market. Today, Singapore is a major shipping, transhipment, and commercial hub for the Group in the region. Singapore is also a key bunkering hub for the Group, and we hope to be able to support the Group’s maritime decarbonisation journey in the years ahead as Singapore adopts a multi-fuel transition strategy.

5.     Allow me to share two key areas in which Hapag-Lloyd has partnered with and contributed to Maritime Singapore

Talent Development

6.     As a keen supporter of manpower development, Hapag-Lloyd has participated in programmes such as the Global Internship Award under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF). A key enabler of our decarbonisation efforts is developing and grooming a skilled maritime talent pool and workforce. We look forward to collaborating with Hapag-Lloyd on this front.

Decarbonisation of the maritime industry

7.     We are also working with like-minded partners, such as Hapag-Lloyd, and have established several green and digital shipping corridors to create a more sustainable maritime ecosystem. As a global hub port and an international maritime centre, Singapore is committed to building a greener and more sustainable Maritime Singapore. The green transition also provides opportunities to enhance the energy efficiency of vessels through reducing fuel usage, retrofitting or building alternative-fuelled vessels.

8.     We look forward to working with Hapag-Lloyd to drive the manpower development and transformation journey of the industry, as well as support its decarbonisation in the coming years.

Conclusion

9.     and everyone present this morning for your support for Maritime Singapore. Together, we can keep the spark of collaborative efforts aflame and pave the way for a more sustainable future, and a more competitive Maritime Singapore.

10.    I wish Captain Metzner (pronounced Metz-ner), Chief Engineer Mr Vollmer (pronounced Foll-mer) and the crew of the Singapore Express all the very best, and may you have many safe and smooth-sailing travels ahead! Thank you and bon voyage.