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Singapore ramps up training for growth post-pandemic in ‘resilient’ maritime sectorSingapore ramps up training for growth post-pandemic in ‘resilient’ maritime sector

Singapore says its maritime sector has remained relatively resilient in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and is continuing to invest in talent and training for future growth after the crisis.

Marcus Hand, Editor

August 26, 2020

2 Min Read
CMA CGM container ship at berth in Singapore
A CMA CGM container ship at berth in SingaporePhoto: Marcus Hand

Speaking at a webinar on Tuesday entitled “Make Maritime Your Next Port of Call, Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs, noted that container volumes at the country’s port, the second largest box port globally, had fallen just 2% between January and July this year.

“Now this 2% is lower than what we have seen in many other ports, and of course if you compare this to many other sectors of the economy, particularly aviation, I think the maritime sector has been quite resilient during this pandemic,” the Minister said.

“In fact, we saw some diversion of traffic from other ports to the Port of Singapore and this is one of the ways in which our free and open port continue to provide services to ensure the flow of essential items to global supply chains.

While the world is still very in the grips of the Covid-19 crisis Singapore is planning for the growth and reshaped maritime markets post the pandemic.

“We will adapt to seize new opportunities as global supply chains reorganise and continue to invest in Maritime Singapore to build deep capabilities to emerge stronger from the crisis. To this talent is needed. Talent is what we need to power the growth of the industry,” he said.

Minister Chee noted that a falling tide lowers all boats, “But do fear even though in such an environment companies are cautious and are not hiring significantly we will continue to invest in our people, and we will encourage more individuals to go for training under the different SGUnited programmes, and we are doing this during the crisis because we are confident the maritime industry will continue to grow after the crisis.”

Related:GTT, Wavelink join hands to deliver LNG training in Singapore

The Minister announced that over 200 traineeships would be offered by maritime companies to provide fresh and recent graduates with industry relevant skills and experience.

The traineeships would include commercial, operations, engineering, ICT and corporate job functions and be offered by companies such as PSA, Jurong Port, Maersk Singapore, Bernhard Schulte Ship Management and maritime companies under the Kuok Group.

The webinar kicked-off a two-day virtual MSC Maritime Careers Workshop organised by the Maritime Singapore Connect Office (MSC), a unit under the Singapore Maritime Foundation.

 

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About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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