Singapore Maritime Foundation Publishes Report of the Tripartite Advisory Panel for Future-ready Maritime Workforce
April 15, 2024
Report outlines skills that a future-ready maritime workforce requires across sea-and-shore, strategies to transform the maritime workforce, and how Singapore can contribute to preparing the workforce for change
Singapore, 15 April 2024 — The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) today released the report of the Tripartite Advisory Panel (TAP) for Future-ready Maritime Workforce. Formed in 2023, the objectives of the TAP are to identify the skills that the maritime workforce needs for 2030 and beyond, propose strategies to spur workforce transformation, and consider how Singapore can contribute to the effort to prepare the workforce for change as industry transformation catalysed by digitalisation and decarbonisation accelerates.
The TAP was co-chaired by Mr. Hor Weng Yew, SMF Chairman and CEO & Managing Director, Pacific Carriers Limited; and Mr. Nick Potter, SMF Board Member and General Manager, Shipping and Maritime, Shell Eastern Trading. They were joined by industry leaders from across the spectrum of the maritime ecosystem including shipowners/operators, ship managers, charterers and cargo owners, shipbrokers, marine insurers, maritime lawyers, classification societies, industry association, the union, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, technology companies and Singapore’s institutes of higher learning. The composition of the TAP is in Annex A.
In formulating its recommendations, the TAP conducted a series of extensive focus group discussions with a wide cross section of industry leaders. Accompanying the industry consultations were a series of questionnaires responded to by industry professionals, and a study on “The Future of Seafarers 2030: A Decade of Transformation” that the Singapore Maritime Foundation co-sponsored with Norwegian classification society DNV.
Evident from the deep-dive discussions and questionnaires was a clear consensus that irrespective of sea-going or shore-based professionals, the maritime workforce has to continuously deepen its domain skills and build emerging skills in an age marked by pervasive technology and change.
In designing the architecture across the sea-and-shore nexus and the skills typologies that the maritime workforce would need, the TAP’s intention was to keep the recommendations succinct, comprehensive, and forward-looking. To plug these skills into Singapore’s industry transformation maps, the TAP used the SkillsFuture skills frameworks as a guide in its deliberations.
A Framework for Skills Development
In identifying the skills that the maritime workforce needs to be equipped with for the future, the TAP introduced three skills categories: domain skills, digital skills and soft skills to reflect the importance of such skills as the industry transforms.
Across domain skills, digital skills and soft skills, there are (i) enduring skills that the maritime workforce should continually develop and deepen; as well as (ii) emerging skills that should be built to adapt to rapid technological, societal or industry changes.
The list of skills across sea-and-shore is in Annex B.
Strategies to Transform the Maritime Workforce
The TAP outlined three key strategies for developing a workforce to be better prepared for the maritime industry’s future needs:
(1) Improve the way we enable maritime professionals to deepen and broaden their skillsets
Fostering a lifelong learning mindset is paramount for the maritime workforce’s future readiness. This necessitates a re-imagination of education and training. The TAP proposed that IHLs and training providers start by infusing training elements as part of a re-designed education curriculum for maritime-related qualifications.
These training elements could be in the form of practical internships and/or short stints at sea, which prepares students for a maritime career, regardless of whether they choose the sea-going or shore-based route. Students entering the maritime workforce must advance their school-learned skills and stay informed about new industry developments and necessary emerging skills.
(2) Strengthen sea-to-shore transition and enable multiple career pathways within the maritime industry
In attracting and retaining talent, the TAP’s consensus was that it is essential that the maritime industry is able to offer diverse opportunities across both sea-and-shore. This will allow the industry to strengthen and develop the maritime talent pipeline and workforce capabilities required to navigate the future.
To enhance the value proposition through strengthening the link between sea-and-shore, the TAP proposed that the industry review its people practices across both sea-and-shore to achieve a more integrated workforce. HR policies, for example, can pay attention to the lifecycle needs of maritime professionals and support them through their different life stages, such as marriage and family needs.
(3) Reimagine the way students and non-maritime professionals discover and strengthen their affinity with the maritime industry
As workforce dynamics evolve, the TAP’s view was that it is vital for the industry to reimagine and amplify outreach efforts towards students and non-maritime professionals to attract new talent.
This will enable the sector to tap on diverse skillsets to solve complex challenges for the industry, which will require capabilities from domains outside of maritime.
Singapore’s Contribution to Building a Future-ready Maritime Workforce
The TAP noted that Singapore, as a leading international maritime centre and global hub port, is well-poised to take a bold step forward in transforming the maritime workforce. Adjacent to the holistic and dynamic maritime cluster are Singapore’s institutes of higher learning that are regularly ranked among the world’s best, as well as a thriving technology sector. Underpinning a conducive macro-environment, supportive government policies are augmented by a positive tripartite relationship.
Proposal for Creation of a “Hub for Future Skills”
The TAP recommended the creation of a “Hub for Future Skills” with a front office as a focal point to coalesce collaboration and cooperation among the key stakeholders to offer innovative, industry-oriented stackable skills and micro-credentials to prepare the workforce for change.
The TAP recommended that the “Hub for Future Skills” look at domain skills, digital skills, and soft skills as they are complementary and reinforcing, and that its offerings cater to pre-employment training (PET) for the undergraduates who are on the cusp of entering the workforce, continuous education, and training (CET) for the professionals who are in the industry, and career conversion for those who are considering a switch into maritime.
Quote by SMF Chairman
“Fundamentally, sustainable, and substantive workforce transformation requires an ecosystem-wide approach. That many leaders from across the industry, the union, higher education, and the technology sector willingly and generously came forward to contribute to the Tripartite Advisory Panel augurs well and is an affirmation of the cohesiveness of Maritime Singapore. This cohesiveness provides an excellent springboard for the way forward,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, Singapore Maritime Foundation.
Download the Tripartite Advisory Panel (TAP) Report on Future-ready Maritime Workforce
Digital copies of the TAP Report on Future-ready Maritime Workforce at https://www.smf.com.sg/resources-publications/.
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Annex A- TAP Composition
Name | Organisation | Title/Designation | Role in TAP |
Hor Weng Yew | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Chairman / | TAP Co-Chair |
Nick Potter | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Co-Chair & Chair of Workstream 3 |
Lars Kastrup | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | Chair of Workstream 1 & TAP Member |
Cyril Ducau | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | Chair of Workstream 2 & TAP Member |
Caroline Yang | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Member |
Arnab Ghosh | American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) | Director, Client Relations and Business Development, Singapore and Malaysia | TAP Member |
Dr. Shahrin Osman | DNV | Regional Head of Maritime Advisory, Director, Maritime Decarbonisation & Autonomy CoE (Singapore/Asia-Pac) | TAP Member |
Bjarne Foldager Jensen | MAN Energy Solutions | Senior Vice President, Head of Two Stroke Business | TAP Member |
Kenneth Lim | Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) | Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation) | TAP Member |
Dennis Chung | Microsoft Singapore | Chief Security Officer | TAP Member |
Captain Sachin Sirsikar | Ocean Network Express (ONE) | General Manager Global Vessel Operations | TAP Member |
Mary Liew Kiah Eng | Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) | General Secretary | TAP Member |
Captain Rajesh Unni | Synergy Marine Group | Founder & Chief Executive Officer | TAP Member |
Olav Nortun | Thome Group | Chief Executive Officer | TAP Member |
Mario Moretti | V Group | Managing Director | TAP Member |
Ben Chng | Wärtsilä Marine | Director, Voyage Services Sales | TAP Member |
Lee Keng Lin | Cyan Renewables | Chief Executive Officer | Member (Alternate Representative, SSA) |
Adam Emilianou | Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) | Head of Corporate Services & General Counsel | Member (Alternate Representative, EPS) |
Gwee Guo Duan | Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) | Assistant General Secretary | Member (Alternate Representative, SMOU) |
Chris Chung | Wärtsilä Marine | General Manager, Optimisation | Member (Alternate Representative, Wärtsilä Marine) |
ANNEX A – TAP Workstream 1
Name | Organisation | Title/Designation | Role of Representative |
Lars Kastrup | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | Chair of Workstream 1 |
Hor Weng Yew | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Chairman / | TAP Co-Chair |
Nick Potter | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Co-Chair |
Caroline Yang | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Member |
Arnab Ghosh | American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) | Director, Client Relations and Business Development, Singapore and Malaysia | TAP Member |
Dr. Gu Hai | American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) | Vice President & Head of Global Simulation Center | TAP Member |
Bjarne Foldager Jensen | MAN Energy Solutions | Senior Vice President, Head of Two Stroke Business | TAP Member |
Kenneth Lim | Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) | Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation) | TAP Member |
Dennis Chung | Microsoft Singapore | Chief Security Officer | TAP Member |
Mary Liew Kiah Eng | Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) | General Secretary | TAP Member |
Captain Rajesh Unni | Synergy Marine Group | Founder & Chief Executive Officer | TAP Member |
Ben Chng | Wärtsilä Marine | Director, Voyage Services Sales | TAP Member |
Captain Tan Kim Hock | Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Program Director (Maritime Studies) | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Chai Kah Hin | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Vice Dean, Office of Graduate Programmes, College of Design and Engineering | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Wang Xin | Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) | Programme Leader & Associate Professor | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Patrick Tan | Singapore Management University (SMU) | Senior Lecturer of Strategy and Entrepreneurship & | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Faris Hajamadideen | Singapore Polytechnic (SP) | Senior Director of Built Environment & Maritime Cluster and the Director of the School of Architecture and Built Environment | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Lee Keng Lin | Cyan Renewables | Chief Executive Officer | Member (Alternate Representative, SSA) |
Gwee Guo Duan | Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) | Assistant General Secretary | Member (Alternate Representative, SMOU) |
Chris Chung | Wärtsilä Marine | General Manager, Optimisation | Member (Alternate representative, Wärtsilä Marine) |
Captain Chatur Wahyu | Singapore Polytechnic (SP) | Acting Director for SMA | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) (Alternate Representative to SP) |
Abhishek Chawla | Pacific International Lines (PIL) | General Manager (Operations and Procurement) | Invited Guest |
Goh Chung Hun | Pacific International Lines (PIL) | General Manager (Fleet) | Invited Guest |
ANNEX A – TAP Workstream 2
Name | Organisation | Title/Designation | Role of Representative |
Cyril Ducau | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) | SMF Board Member / Chief Executive Officer of EPS | Chair of Workstream 2 |
Hor Weng Yew | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Chairman / | TAP Co-Chair |
Nick Potter | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Co-Chair |
John Martin | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Member |
Gina Lee-Wan | Allen & Gledhill LLP | Consultant | TAP Member |
Arnab Ghosh | American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) | Director, Client Relations and Business Development, Singapore and Malaysia | TAP Member |
Rob Hewitson | Clarksons Singapore | Managing Director | TAP Member |
Dr. Shahrin Osman | DNV | Regional Head of Maritime Advisory, Director, Maritime Decarbonisation & Autonomy CoE (Singapore/Asia-Pac) | TAP Member |
Kenneth Lim | Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) | Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation) | TAP Member |
Dennis Chung | Microsoft Singapore | Chief Security Officer | TAP Member |
Leslie Dang | Nautilus Labs | Global Head of Revenue & Managing Director | TAP Member |
Captain Sachin Sirsikar | Ocean Network Express (ONE) | General Manager Global Vessel Operations | TAP Member |
Alvin Cheong | Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) | Executive Secretary and Legal Counsel | TAP Member |
Larry Chan | Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) | Training & Employability Consultant | TAP Member |
John Simpson | Stephenson Harwood LLP | Partner | TAP Member |
Olav Nortun | Thome Group | Chief Executive Officer | TAP Member |
Mario Moretti | V Group | Managing Director | TAP Member |
Shmulick Yoskovitz | X-press Feeders | Chief Executive Officer | TAP Member |
Captain Tan Kim Hock | Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Program Director (Maritime Studies) | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Chai Kah Hin | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Vice Dean, Office of Graduate Programmes, College of Design and Engineering | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Wang Xin | Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) | Programme Leader & Associate Professor | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Patrick Tan
| Singapore Management University (SMU) | Senior Lecturer of Strategy and Entrepreneurship & | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Faris Hajamadideen | Singapore Polytechnic (SP) | Senior Director of Built Environment & Maritime Cluster and the Director of the School of Architecture and Built Environment | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Adam Emilianou | Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) | Head of Corporate Services & General Counsel | Member (Alternate Representative, EPS) |
Captain Chatur Wahyu | Singapore Polytechnic (SP) | Acting Director for SMA | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) (Alternate Representative, SP) |
Darin Wong | Clarksons Singapore | Head S&P | Invited Guest |
Tay Gak Yong | Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) | Commercial Director | Invited Guest |
ANNEX A – TAP Workstream 3
Name | Organisation | Title/Designation | Role of Representative |
Nick Potter | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | Chair of Workstream 3 |
Hor Weng Yew | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Chairman / | TAP Co-Chair |
Lars Kastrup | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Member (Chair of Workstream 1) |
Cyril Ducau | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Member (Chair of Workstream 2) |
Caroline Yang | Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) / | SMF Board Member / | TAP Member |
Arnab Ghosh | American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) | Director, Client Relations and Business Development, Singapore and Malaysia | TAP Member |
Dr. Shahrin Osman | DNV | Regional Head of Maritime Advisory, Director, Maritime Decarbonisation & Autonomy CoE (Singapore/Asia-Pac) | TAP Member |
Bjarne Foldager Jensen | MAN Energy Solutions | Senior Vice President, Head of Two Stroke Business | TAP Member |
Kenneth Lim | Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) | Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation) | TAP Member |
Dennis Chung | Microsoft Singapore | Chief Security Officer | TAP Member |
Captain Sachin Sirsikar | Ocean Network Express (ONE) | General Manager Global Vessel Operations | TAP Member |
Mary Liew Kiah Eng | Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) | General Secretary | TAP Member |
Captain Rajesh Unni | Synergy Marine Group | Founder & Chief Executive Officer | TAP Member |
Olav Nortun | Thome Group | Chief Executive Officer | TAP Member |
Mario Moretti | V Group | Managing Director | TAP Member |
Ben Chng | Wärtsilä Marine | Director, Voyage Services Sales | TAP Member |
Captain Tan Kim Hock | Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Program Director (Maritime Studies) | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Chai Kah Hin | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Vice Dean, Office of Graduate Programmes, College of Design and Engineering | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Wang Xin | Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) | Programme Leader & Associate Professor | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Patrick Tan
| Singapore Management University (SMU) | Senior Lecturer of Strategy and Entrepreneurship & | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Dr. Faris Hajamadideen | Singapore Polytechnic (SP) | Senior Director of Built Environment & Maritime Cluster and the Director of the School of Architecture and Built Environment | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) |
Lee Keng Lin | Cyan Renewables | Chief Executive Officer | Member (Alternate Representative, SSA) |
Adam Emilianou | Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) | Head of Corporate Services & General Counsel | Member (Alternate Representative, EPS) |
Gwee Guo Duan | Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) | Assistant General Secretary | Member (Alternate Representative, SMOU) |
Chris Chung | Wärtsilä Marine | General Manager, Optimisation | Member (Alternate Representative, Wärtsilä Marine) |
Gladys Koh | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Associate Director, Centre for Maritime Studies | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) (Alternate Representative, NUS) |
Captain Chatur Wahyu | Singapore Polytechnic (SP) | Acting Director for SMA | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) (Alternate Representative, SP) |
Captain Savio Coutinho | Singapore Polytechnic (SP) | Assistant Director for Admin & Planning | Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) (Alternate Representative, SP) |
ANNEX B – Enduring and Emerging Skills for Sea-going Professionals (Graduates)
ANNEX B – Enduring and Emerging Skills for Sea-going Professionals (Deck)
ANNEX B – Enduring and Emerging Skills for Sea-going Professionals (Engineering)
ANNEX B – Enduring and Emerging Skills for Sea-going Professionals (Sea-to-Shore Transition)
ANNEX B – Enduring and Emerging Skills for Shore-based Careers (Undergraduates/ Graduates)
ANNEX B – Enduring and Emerging Skills for Shore-based Careers (Mid-career Shore-based Professionals)
ANNEX B – Enduring and Emerging Skills for Shore-based Careers (Sea-to-Shore Transition)
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
