The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has introduced a series of initiatives to strengthen the maritime talent pipeline for both shore-based and seafaring careers. Several of these were highlighted by Mr. Murali Pillai, Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport, at the Maritime Manpower Forum – themed “Embracing Change – Shaping the Maritime Workforce of the Future” – during Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2025.

2. The Tripartite Maritime Training Award (TMTA), established in 2009 by Singapore Maritime Officers Union (SMOU), helps mid-career individuals acquire the skills and certifications for their transition to seafaring roles as 3rd Officers and 5th Engineers on foreign-going ships. Under the enhanced TMTA, the training duration will be reduced from 31 to 22 months, while maintaining high training standards. This is accomplished through a more streamlined curriculum that strengthens core maritime competencies, incorporates greater use of advanced ship simulators for both navigational and engineering training, and optimises onboard training to accelerate skills development. To provide better financial support, monthly training allowances will increase from S$1200 to S$2,200, with co-funding by government agencies and unions. Applications for the TMTA are open, with the next training course starting on 9 June 2025. Details can be found on SMOU’s website.

3. To advance research in electric ship technologies, the Bureau Veritas - Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Centre for Maritime Electrification (COME) was launched today at SMW 2025. COME will focus on applied research, industry workshops, students and staff exchanges, and talent development through Industrial Doctorate and Industrial Master programs. At the event, SIT also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Bureau of Shipping to advance ship and system design. Under the MOU, both organisations will explore research areas such as power system simulation, shore-to-ship charging technologies, and augmented reality applications. The partnership will also provide undergraduate placement opportunities through SIT's Integrated Work Study Programme and Capstone projects.

5. To equip the maritime workforce with the skills needed to meet the needs of the industry as it transforms, Singapore is expanding training in domains such as data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and sustainability. The MPA-Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) Joint Office for Talent and Skills, established in 2024, will support workforce transformation and skills development in these areas. As part of its efforts, an MOU was signed in August 2024 with the National University of Singapore to pilot an applied data science and analytics course tailored for maritime professionals. The pilot was well received, with 30 participants from 15 maritime companies. Public runs are expected to commence in 2H2025.

6. MPA is expanding its outreach efforts to raise awareness of maritime careers among students. In the annual MPA maritime censuses conducted with over 1700 companies, employers are seeking to hire for roles in key areas, including data and cybersecurity, marine surveyors and technical superintendents, and sustainability, in 2025. Please refer to Annex A for key highlights of the 2024 MPA Maritime Censuses.

7. In 2024, 18 MaritimeSG Youth Ambassadors (MYAs) were appointed to promote the industry, bringing the total number of MYAs to over 50 since the MYA programme was first started in 2022. Recruitment for the 2025 intake is ongoing. Students interested in becoming an MYA can visit MPA’s website to find out more.

8. In 2024, 56 students participated in the 12-week MPA-Global Internship Award (GIA) programme, gaining valuable internship experience and international exposure, supported by maritime companies and organisations. The programme, which includes a six-week overseas stint, provides students first-hand insights into the diverse mix of maritime careers while deepening their industry knowledge and enhancing their future employability. More information on the GIA can be found on SMF’s website.

9. Industry-supported scholarships remain a key feature of Maritime Singapore’s talent attraction efforts. In 2024, 63 MaritimeONE scholarships worth over S$1.8 million were awarded. Since the inception of this programme, 647 scholarships totalling S$17.6 million have supported aspiring maritime professionals. The SMI-MaritimeONE Postgraduate R&D Scholarship, launched recently, was awarded to its first two recipients, strengthening Singapore’s maritime research and innovation capabilities.  

 

10. For mid-career professionals, Workforce Singapore’s (WSG) Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for the Sea Transport Professionals and Associates supports their transition into new maritime roles. The programme provides salary support for companies hiring new talent or reskilling employees in areas such as maritime digitalisation, decarbonisation, and cybersecurity. As the programme partner of the Sea Transport CCP, the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) saw a significant surge in uptake in 2024, with half of the year’s placements supporting employee reskilling for jobs that had been redesigned through digitalisation, such as cargo officers and operation managers. Companies are also encouraged to train their workforce in AI and carbon reduction technologies to support maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation initiatives. Details on the CCP for the Sea Transport Professionals and Associates can be found online.  

11. To better prepare maritime leaders to seize future opportunities, the Maritime Leadership Programme (MLP), launched in 2021, has been expanded to include leaders from adjacent sectors such as trading and logistics. Additionally, MLP alumni will now be part of the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN), joining a community of over 2,000 corporate leaders, fostering cross-sector collaboration and leadership development.  

12. To provide maritime professionals with international exposure, Workforce Singapore (WSG)’s Overseas Market Immersion Programme (OMIP), launched in November 2024, offers funding support for overseas experiences. In addition, MPA’s Maritime Cluster Fund – Maritime Associate Programme (MCF-MA) now supports overseas stints for employees as well.

13. As the maritime sector adapts to rapid change, Singapore remains committed to developing a future-ready workforce. By investing in education, skills development, and collaborative innovation, MPA is building a resilient and adaptive maritime workforce that can support continued digitalisation and decarbonisation of the maritime sector, and thrive amidst evolving global challenges.