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In 2024, These Skillsets Will Help You Thrive in Maritime Singapore.

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Find out why artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, sustainability, and agile methods are some of the in-demand skills for the maritime industry in 2024.

Singapore’s maritime sector remains resilient even as the world faces an uncertain year. But equipped with the right skills, maritime students, professionals, and mid-career switchers could be well-positioned to seize these prospects. 

Minister of Transport Mr Chee Hong Tat at the opening of SMF New Year Conversations 2024.

After all, industry transformation and talent development will be needed to secure maritime’s long-term growth and success, said Minister of Transport Mr Chee Hong Tat at the opening of the Singapore Maritime Foundation New Year Conversations 2024 (NYC 2024), the first large-scale industry event of each year.

At the event, a panel of leaders from maritime’s public and private sectors –comprising SMF’s past and present Chairmen and the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore who is also an SMF Board member– discussed issues of strategic interest to the industry as the world navigates an inflection point. We recap some insights they shared as well as the skills required for maritime to chart forward into the future.

Artificial Intelligence – Programming and Creativity 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already used to enhance port communication, improve port management, and automate launch boat services today. When it comes to using AI, Singapore’s maritime sector is not resting on its laurels.

Today, AI is already being used to help maritime’s workers accelerate their operations in areas like port management and launch boat services.

Panellist and BW Group’s Chairman Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao shared an example of an internal project to build an AI assistant that analyses patterns and trends across the organisation and supports sense-making so that employees can make more informed decisions.

In Picture: BW Group Chairman Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao

“It’s a neural network that understands everything happening in a shipping company, in a way that no human could understand…it’s scary, but so powerful,” Mr Sohmen-Pao said. 

To help build innovative AI solutions in maritime companies, talents who have programming, creative thinking, and machine learning skills could be sought after.

Harnessing technologies like AI will require collaboration skills across different domains and generations. This was echoed by panellist Mr Teo Eng Dih, the Chief Executive of the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), who highlighted how multi-generational expertise and knowledge has been crucial in building MPA’s new vessel management digital system.

In Picture: Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore Chief Executive Mr Teo Eng Dih

Mr. Teo said: “Many of them (workers) are at retirement age, or waiting to retire. But they are staying on to give valuable guidance on the system’s design and looking at safety.”

Data Science and Cybersecurity 

Singapore’s maritime industry already uses statistics, programming, database management, and data visualisation skills to improve port safety and monitor carbon emissions. Moving forward, these data science skills will remain relevant.

Dry Bulk Analyst Mr Cheng Zheng Yang is one such professional who draws on data science skills today to find innovative maritime business solutions.

Mr Sohmen-Pao highlighted data science’s importance, calling for more “technology skillsets to assimilate the massive amounts of information” in maritime.  Another skillset that is gaining prominence is cybersecurity, according to panellist Mr Hor Weng Yew, who is also SMF’s chairman.

In Picture: SMF Chairman and Pacific Carriers Limited CEO Mr Hor Weng Yew.

“How do we ensure we have the right tools and guardrails in place?” added Mr Hor. “If we find a way to do so, we will contribute to Singapore’s edge. We have to make sure our information technology systems and infrastructure remain connected, with cybersecurity playing a huge role.”

To ensure the secure handling of massive amounts of data being used today, cybersecurity professionals with skills like network security and risk management could also find a home in Singapore’s maritime industry.

Sustainability – Management and Engineering 

The local maritime industry has ambitious decarbonisation goals, such as reaching net zero carbon emissions in ports by 2050. Maritime decarbonisation is a necessary but challenging journey as some of the panellists highlighted the presence of fossil fuels in our daily lives and the industry.

Sustainability skill sets will be in demand as maritime businesses find ways to bridge decarbonisation goals with business objectives.

People who can bridge the industry’s business needs with sustainability goals to navigate this complexity will be in demand. Related skill sets such as green shipping, carbon accounting, along with sustainability maritime policy and law will be relevant, as the sector intensifies its sustainability agenda in areas like shipping fuels.

In Picture: Mr Michael Chia, Managing Consultant of Impact Energy LLP

Mr Chia, Managing Consultant of Impact Energy LLP, said: “Today, oil companies and oil producing companies are pressured and conscious to do their part for a greener environment…Some of these companies have moved into offshore winds and have introduced projects with carbon capture and storage. There’s definitely also a push for alternative fuels like methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen.”

Agility and Problem Solving 

The maritime sector, as an industry deeply intertwined with the world, will be facing many ups and downs in 2024.

“Geopolitics seems to determine everything now, from trade (volume) to shipping routes,” said Mr Hor.

“In the past 50 years, we’ve seen how oil prices have affected the industry,” added Mr Chia. It’s subject to factors like supply and demand, and also to global trade tensions. There’s no way to avoid it.”

Maritime companies will have to be agile and calm in the way they respond to the year’s unpredictable events, said the panel.

Maritime businesses will benefit from professionals who can react quickly to change, which is why soft skills like agile methodologies and problem solving could be in demand. Bringing a nimble and collaborative approach towards challenges, these workers can guide maritime businesses towards adopting sharper corporate strategies and innovative technologies to stay competitive.

In picture: Pacific International Lines Executive Chairman Mr Teo Siong Seng

“Things are going to happen that we don’t expect…it all depends on how fast you react, and how calm you are,” said Pacific International Lines Executive Chairman Mr Teo Siong Seng.

“You have to stay focused and make sure each company can work calmly and closely together and efficiently. So when we have a crisis, we can handle it with the support of the authorities like the MPA and the Ministry of Transport.”

Thriving With Opportunities in 2024 

In short, AI, data science, and cybersecurity skillsets could be in demand as maritime continues with its digital transformation journey. Maritime businesses will also value sustainability skillsets as the industry doubles down on its net zero targets. Last but not least, agile methodologies and problem-solving skills could be beneficial to tackling the year’s uncertainty.

With these skillsets, you’ll be one step closer to thriving in your Maritime Singapore career journey this year.  If you’re not from maritime, and the above sounds like you, consider a maritime career today.

Check out the opportunities here!

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