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SMF Launches Children’s Book on Maritime Singapore’s Journey as part of Award-Winning Secrets of Singapore Series

September 23, 2024
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Published by Epigram Books, “Secrets of Singapore: Mission Maritime” tells the compelling narrative of Maritime Singapore’s 700-year journey through immersive graphics, clever puns, and nuggets of fun facts    

Singapore, 23 September 2024 — The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) today launches Secrets of Singapore: Mission Maritime, an initiative to bring an essential industry responsible for transporting over 80% of global trade to the fore for children.

Authored by Angèle Lee and illustrated by Alan Bay, the lively children’s book takes its young readers through the annals of Singapore’s rich maritime history, charting the nation’s rapid growth from a budding entrepôt to its present day as a leading international maritime centre and global hub port.

Secrets of Singapore: Mission Maritime opens with an introduction to Singapore’s humble beginnings as a natural port of call

This vivid retelling of the Maritime Singapore story features intrepid explorers Spy Guy and Quiiqueg who adopt a fun and dynamic approach to learning by drawing on historical facts and anecdotes, witty dialogue and clever puns to paint a holistic picture of Singapore’s rise to prominence. Pop quizzes keep readers engaged by testing them on their newfound knowledge.

This section describes the role of the POCC in monitoring and guiding sea traffic along the Singapore Strait

The book also offers readers exciting glimpses into maritime operations behind-the-scenes and how the future of maritime is being shaped by digital transformation and sustainability. Some examples include the Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) managed by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) that surveys sea traffic through the Vessel Traffic Information System; the Automated Crane Operations Centre (ACOC) that PSA uses to manage the flow of shipping containers by coordinating quay cranes, personnel and trucks; and Jurong Port’s Ready-Mixed Concrete (RMC) Ecosystem, a common user facility that integrates RMC batching plants with specialised aggregates, concrete and steel terminals to connect the construction supply chain.

The Secrets of Singapore: Mission Maritime can be purchased at all major book stores as well as online via Epigram’s website at S$14.90. It is the latest addition to the popular Secrets of Singapore series which showcases commissioned works on the National Gallery, Botanic Gardens and Chinatown[1].

[1] The previous seven books in the “Secrets of Singapore” series can be found here.

“Secrets of Maritime: Mission Maritime is an engaging blend of storytelling and educational content for children to know more about Singapore’s rich maritime heritage and how we are progressing forward as a global maritime hub. I thank Epigram for this partnership, as well as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Jurong Port and PSA for working closely with us on this meaningful project to raise Maritime Singapore’s profile to the younger demographic,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, Singapore Maritime Foundation.

“Now in its ninth edition, with over 50,000 copies sold, this nonfiction series continues to captivate young imaginations and remains a favourite bestseller,” said Mr. Edmund Wee, publisher of Epigram Books.

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Download Press Release

About the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF)

Established in 2004, the Singapore Maritime Foundation is a conduit between the public and private sectors to accomplish the twin mission of developing and promoting Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC); and to attract, engage and grow a talent pipeline to position Maritime Singapore for continued growth. For details, visit https://www.smf.com.sg/

About Epigram Books

Epigram Books is Singapore’s largest independent publisher with a reputation for well-designed and thought-provoking titles. The company was registered in July 2011 to champion Singaporean literature, and currently publishes about 30 to 40 titles a year.

Popular titles include the bestselling graphic novel The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, middle grade series The Diary of Amos Lee and the Sherlock Sam book series. The company also made headlines in 2015 for launching the Epigram Books Fiction Prize, in the hopes of uncovering the next great Southeast Asian novel.

Media Contacts

David Lee
davidlee@sgmf.com.sg
+65 9119 8044

Joshua Ong
joshuaong@sgmf.com.sg
+65 9011 6304

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