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Coming from Diverse Backgrounds, The MaritimeONE 2022 Scholars are Ready to Make an Impact

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Comprising of students from diverse backgrounds eager to make an impact, the 2022 MaritimeONE Scholars are no drops in the ocean.

The diverse pool of MaritimeONE Scholarship recipients continues to grow in 2022, with $1.7m worth of scholarships awarded to 54 students from maritime, engineering, business, law and STEM fields such as data analytics and computer science. Established by the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF), the MaritimeONE Scholarship aims to demonstrate the sector’s dedication to nurturing talent in concert with industry partners and provides a platform for youth new to the industry to pursue a maritime career.

In his opening remarks at the MaritimeONE Scholarships award ceremony on 31 August, Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Transport Chee Hong Tat praised the industry’s efforts in developing new talent.

“This sizable investment demonstrates the importance the industry places on talent development, and the collective desire to bring new energy and dynamism to drive transformation in the maritime sector,” - SMS for Transport Chee Hong Tat (Pictured above)

 

In his opening address, SMF Chairman Hor Weng Yew also emphasized the need for maritime to have a diversity of backgrounds and opportunities to stay competitive.

“Maritime is an industry with a rich heritage, but it is also a dynamic sector that is capable of “re-inventing” itself...This “re-invention” has created new career paths, which adds to an already diverse spectrum of roles for young talent joining the industry” - SMF Chairman (Pictured above)

To understand more about this diversity and impact, we spoke to five incoming scholars about their aspirations for the industry.

Merging Law, Logistics and Tech

For MaritimeONE Scholar Evangeline Koh, she hopes to use her multidisciplinary education to spur the sector’s digitalisation.

The industry’s global nature was what made Evangeline pursue a maritime career, after witnessing the transnational dynamics of port operations first hand during an overseas internship in Finland as part of her Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Evangeline Koh giving a speech at the Scholarship Ceremony.

This fascination led Evangeline to study law at the Singapore Management University, where she focuses on maritime law. Evangeline now hopes to leverage the scholarship’s networks to bring maritime, technology and law together. She is particularly enthusiastic about blockchain technology, which she believes can optimise bill of lading processes, which are legal transport agreements used in the industry.

“Through conversations with like-minded individuals, I hope to drive the conversation forward and bring about digital change. A law and logistics background allows me to see things from a different perspective, and this way, I hope that my solutions will have a creative element that combines the best of both worlds.”

Evangeline Koh Tweet

A Passion for Ships and Data

For MaritimeONE scholar Vivian Seow, she hopes to combine her love for data and ships to decarbonise the industry.

Vivian’s maritime journey began as a primary 3 student after learning about the complexity of ships at the Singapore Maritime Gallery. 

Vivian Seow (right), receiving her scholarship from SMF Chairman Hor Weng Yew.

“There were different types of vessels on display, and I was so curious about what their differences and functions were. Even after the learning journey, I asked my parents and teachers many questions."

Vivian Seow Tweet

Today, Vivian is taking her next step by pursuing a Degree in Maritime Studies and Data Analytics at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). With the scholarship giving her the headspace to focus on learning, she hopes to introduce innovative ways of using data to decarbonise ships in the industry, similar to 2016 MaritimeONE scholar and Own Your Future hero Cheng Zheng Yang. 

Empathy in Maritime

For Pacific International Lines-MaritimeONE Scholar Aario Chia, he wants to use empathy to solve complex maritime logistics challenges.

The current NTU Business and Maritime Studies student first experienced maritime logistics after a warehouse job and visits to a shipyard as a student. Through these experiences, Aario was amazed at how our everyday items reached Singapore from different parts of the world.

Aario Chia (right), receiving his scholarship from CEO of Pacific International Lines Lars Kastrup.

“When I’m shopping for products online, I always wonder how these items are seamlessly transported to our homes across international waters. A lot of behind-the-scenes work goes behind maritime logistics, and I hope to open people’s eyes to how it happens,”

Aario Chia Tweet

Shaped by his first-hand interactions with maritime logistics, Aario empathised with the industry’s challenges during recent supply chain disruptions. In the future, Aario hopes to leverage his scholarship’s rotational programmes to “know the problems on the ground” before solving them strategically.

Building Maritime’s Future 

For Singapore Maritime Academy-MaritimeONE Seafaring Officer Scholar Sulaiman Suali, his goal in maritime is to eventually train future seafarers and give back to the industry after earning his stripes.

With the scholarship funding his Diploma in Nautical Studies, Sulaiman hopes to achieve his dream of running his own ship as a master mariner. After he has gained enough exposure, Sulaiman hopes to use his experiences and expertise to become a Singapore Maritime Academy lecturer.

Sulaiman Suali (right) receiving his scholarship from Deputy Principal (Academic) of Singapore Polytechnic Mr Lim Peng Hun.

“I’m excited to embark on my seafaring career, and for what comes after. Once I have gained enough experience and want to put my anchor down, there will be plenty of possibilities, but I have my eyes set on becoming a lecturer. Becoming a lecturer is something like a responsibility to me. I want to use my experiences to inspire the next generation.”

Sulaiman Suali Tweet

Similarly, BW-MaritimeONE Scholar Samuel Poh hopes to become a maritime advocate after his studies.

Coming from a business diploma background, the aspiring charterer and current SMU Bachelor of Business Management (Maritime Business Operations Track) student hopes to use the scholarship to demonstrate that a maritime career can be an attractive option for people of non-maritime backgrounds.

Samuel Poh (right), receiving his scholarship from Group Head, Talent, Learning and Employee Experience of BW Group Ms Shauna Stones.

“Many business students tend to go into finance and tech companies, and that’s something I hope to change. I want to show my juniors that this (maritime) is a good path you can also consider.”

Samuel Poh Tweet

Joining the Heart of the Industry 

Representing diverse aspirations, these are just some of the 54 MaritimeONE scholars who have each given their heart and commitment to change the industry. Click here to find out how you too could be a future recipient of the MaritimeONE Scholarship.

These scholars are just a subset of many maritime students and professionals who want to transform the industry. If you’re keen to learn more about maritime experiences and opportunities, check out SMF’s Young Executives and Students Club (YES Club), where you can network with like-minded changemakers for free. Take the next step by contacting us here!

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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.