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Maritime Youth Forum 2025 Brings Together Singapore’s Tertiary Talent to Discuss Global Issues, Deepen Networks, and Discover Maritime Careers

January 24, 2025
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Spearheaded by the Singapore Maritime Foundation, the Maritime Youth Forum is an initiative organised by students for students

Singapore, 24 January 2025 — The Maritime Youth Forum 2025, a platform to build a community amongst Singapore’s university and polytechnic students across diverse disciplines and connect them with the industry, welcomed over 250 youth and industry executives last evening. Initiated by the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF), the event was organised by the student leaders of maritime-related societies from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Singapore Polytechnic.

The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr. Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport.

A highlight of the forum was a student-moderated panel discussion themed “Navigating a World in Flux” which explored how maritime leaders navigate a changing external environment while seizing opportunities. The panelists were:

  • Mr. Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport
  • Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, SMF and MD & CEO, Pacific Carriers Limited
  • Mr. Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman, BW Group
  • Mr. Cyril Ducau, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pacific Shipping
  • (Moderator) Mr. Brandon Sia, a Business Management student specialising in Maritime Business and Operations at the Singapore Management University

The event culminated in a dinner reception where student attendees networked with their peers, and visited the career booths of 19 leading maritime companies to learn about the industry and explore purposeful career pathways into Maritime Singapore. The list of participating companies can be found in Annex A.

“The Singapore Maritime Foundation is proud to support the Maritime Youth Forum 2025. I commend the student leaders from the five institutes of higher learning for their commitment in organising this 3rd edition of the forum, which I hope will become a tradition and a keenly-anticipated highlight of the Maritime Singapore calendar. I also thank the maritime companies for their support and presence to showcase the diverse spectrum of opportunities that the sector has to offer,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, Singapore Maritime Foundation.  

SMF Chairman, Mr. Hor Weng Yew, delivers his opening remarks to more than 250 students and industry professionals.
Moderated by Mr. Brandon Sia, the panel on “Navigating a World In Flux” comprised SPS Baey Yam Keng, Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Mr. Andreas Sohmen-Pao, and Mr. Cyril Ducau.
SPS Baey Yam Keng connects with student attendees following the panel discussion.

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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 www.smf.com.sg

Media Contacts:

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

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

Download Press Release

About the Singapore Maritime Foundation

Established in 2004, the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) 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 

Media Contacts

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

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

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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.

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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.
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Mr. John Martin

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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.
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