Driving Youth Innovation Through the NUS-Rightship Hackathon 2024: A Catch-up with Team Crash Course.

(Above) Prize-winning teams, the NUS-Rightship organising committee and SMF Board Members.

The NUS-RightShip Hackathon 2024 focused on decarbonisation and electrification in Maritime Singapore, drawing 520 students from 157 teams to explore sustainability challenges. Using data from Spire, participants analysed GHG emissions at Singapore ports and the impact of electric vessels on reducing these emissions. This event not only showcased innovative solutions but also emphasised the vital role of youth in driving environmental progress. Highlights include insights from the university-category winners, Team Crash Course from Singapore Management University, on their experiences and learnings.

Congratulations on winning the NUS-Rightship Hackathon! How did to clinch victory after the intense two-day event?

The entire experience came as a pleasant surprise. Despite the gruelling two-day marathon of developing our solution and crafting presentation slides to effectively convey our ideas, we were elated. As first-year undergraduates with minimal analytics experience, it was incredibly rewarding to be among the select few from SMU to win the Hackathon.

With such limited analytics experience, what drove you to participate in the Hackathon?

 As novice first-year Computer Science students, we aimed to expand our data analytics skills. We saw the NUS-Rightship Hackathon as an excellent opportunity to test our abilities, apply our knowledge, and gain practical experience. Our goal was to push ourselves beyond the theoretical concepts taught in the classroom.

(Above) Team Crash Course members Vince, Set Lin, Zane and Sheen Hern with SMF Chairman Mr. Hor Weng Yew.

Could you elaborate on your innovative solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Maritime Singapore?

Our winning strategy stemmed from our statistical analysis at Pasir Panjang Terminal, where we discovered that a significant chunk of emissions occurs during the berthing phase. This insight shifted our focus to reducing emissions from docked ships in Singapore.

Our proposed solution promotes the electrification of berthed vessels through shore power, allowing docked ships to connect to Singapore’s main electrical grid instead of relying on their diesel engines. This approach could effectively utilize Singapore’s robust electrical infrastructure and serve as a pragmatic step towards full electrification of harbour crafts.

As newcomers to the maritime industry before this hackathon, what aspect surprised you the most? How has your view of the maritime sector evolved since the competition?

We were initially overwhelmed by the vast amount of data which starkly contrast the smaller datasets we’ve handled in school. The challenge of analysing millions of data points in a short period was formidable, yet it taught us valuable lessons in managing and deriving insights from large datasets.

What are your thoughts on the future of digitalization and sustainability in Maritime Singapore?

The prospects for digitalization and sustainability in Maritime Singapore look bright. The insights gained from this hackathon have shown us that electrification is a tangible and reachable goal with all hands on deck. Leveraging Singapore’s cutting-edge infrastructure could significantly propel the sustainability movement forward.

Anything you’d like to share with your peers and juniors interested in future editions of the NUS-Rightship Hackathon?

The maritime industry, while not familiar to many, plays a critical role in our everyday lives. Participating in a hackathon might seem daunting, but the learning opportunity is immense. We encourage you to step out of your comfort zone—you could very well be the next Hackathon champions!

Conclusion:

Maritime is at the cusp of digital and green transformation, and a career in this dynamic and purposeful industry has never been more exciting. Take the next step by applying for the MaritimeONE Internship Programme today!

Inaugural MSC Maritime Digital Challenge Grand Finals Prize Presentation

Over 129 tertiary students across 35 teams took part in the inaugural MSC Maritime Digital Challenge that seeks to plug Singapore students with a passion for technology into the maritime industry.
Students from the Singapore Management University and Nanyang Polytechnic were announced as winners of the challenges posed by Eastport Maritime, Kanda and Torvald Klaveness at the Prize Presentation held on 13 November 2021.

MSC Maritime Digital Challenge 2021

Three challenge statements, 35 teams, 129 students and 12 finalist teams from 4 universities & 3 polytechnics. Catch behind-the-scene highlights of the MSC Maritime Digital Challenge 2021.

Singapore Maritime Foundation | MSC Maritime Digital Challenge 2021

Catch highlights of the MSC Maritime Digital Challenge 2021. We thank Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport Mr. Chee Hong Tat for being our Guest-of-Honour at the event.

SMF New Year Conversations 2022: Year-in-Perspective Video

The past two years of learning to live with Covid-19 has been challenging, but Maritime Singapore has remained resilient. What are the fundamental tenets that attract companies to anchor their business in Singapore and grow their operations here? And what more can be done to leverage on Singapore’s strengths to enhance its attractiveness as a global business hub for maritime companies? How will the Singapore Maritime Foundation organize its work around Connectivity, Innovation and Talent to strengthen the maritime ecosystem? Find out in this Year-in-Perspective video.

SMF New Year Conversations 2022: Opportunities Amid Disruptions

The 2022 SMF New Year Conversations that took place on 13 January 2022 was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport & Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations. Over 250 industry leaders across the breadth of maritime attended physically and virtually.
Singapore was announced to have secured the overall top spot as an international maritime centre for the fifth consecutive time in the DNV-Menon Leading Maritime Cities 2022 report.
Thank you to our industry partners for your strong support.

Mr. Lars Kastrup

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL LINES

Mr. Lars Kastrup is the Chief Executive Officer of Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd (PIL).

Prior to joining PIL, Mr. Kastrup was CEO of NOL/APL, and subsequently assumed the role of Executive Vice President, Strategy and M&A at CMA CGM Group. A veteran in the global shipping industry with over 30 years of experience, Mr Kastrup’s other roles include Executive Vice President of Assets at CMA CGM Group heading up CMA Terminals, CMA Ships, Container Logistics as well as regional carriers such as MacAndrews, OPDR and Mercosul; as well as Vice President at AP Moller-Maersk.
Mr. Kastrup complemented his tertiary education with leadership and management training at Penn State University and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Angeline Teo

MANAGING DIRECTOR & HEAD, GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION & OFFSHORE, OCBC BANK

Ms. Angeline Teo is the Managing Director and Head of Global Transportation and Offshore, Global Corporate Banking at OCBC Bank which focuses on the maritime, aviation, land & port ecosystems.
Ms. Teo has spent over three decades in maritime finance. Prior to OCBC, Ms. Teo was working at ING Bank, ABN Amro and DnB in Singapore focusing on maritime and offshore.
Ms. Teo graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Business Administration.

Mr. John Martin

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GARD SINGAPORE

Mr. John Martin began his career in London in 1989 with Richards Hogg Lindley Average Adjusters, and qualified as a Fellow of the UK Association of Average Adjusters in 2000.
At RHL he worked in their offices in Australia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In 2003 he joined Gard Hong Kong, as a claims handler. Mr. Martin also worked in Gard Japan, and in 2014 he moved to Singapore to set up the Gard Singapore office.
Besides running Gard Singapore, Mr. Martin also heads the P&I and H&M claims units and is the Senior Claims Representative for Gard in Asia.

Mr. Cyril Ducau

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EASTERN PACIFIC SHIPPING

Mr. Cyril Ducau is the Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte Ltd, a leading shipping company headquartered in Singapore for the past 30 years.

He is also currently the Chairman of Kenon Holdings Ltd and a member of the board of directors of Gard P&I (Bermuda) Ltd. and of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation Limited, which was established by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. He was previously Head of Business Development of Quantum Pacific Advisory Limited in London from 2008 to 2012 and acted as Director and Chairman of Pacific Drilling SA between 2011 and 2018.
Prior to joining Quantum Pacific Advisory Limited, Mr. Ducau was Vice President in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley & Co. International Ltd. in London between 2000 and 2008.
Mr. Ducau graduated from ESCP Europe Business School (Paris, Oxford, Berlin) and holds a Master of Science in business administration and a Diplom Kaufmann.