The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) said it will continue to expand its programmes and intensify efforts to promote Singapore as an international maritime centre as it marks its 20th anniversary.

SMF — established in 2004, 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).

In his welcome address, Hor Weng Yew, chairman of SMF, affirmed the organisation's "commitment" to further strengthen Singapore's value proposition as a leading international maritime centre by enhancing interconnectedness within the maritime ecosystem and building linkages with other ecosystems beyond maritime.

He also announced the formation of the first Maritime Mediators Panel (MMP) by the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) and the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC).

SMF noted that, drawn from the panels of both institutions, the inaugural panel aims to promote mediation as an alternative means of resolution of maritime and international trading disputes.

 Chee Hong Tat, acting minister for Transport, was the guest-of-honour and delivered the opening address [Source: SMF]

"The cross-institutional collaboration will further augment Singapore's maritime dispute resolution landscape and strengthen its value proposition as a leading international maritime centre," the announcement said.

This panel would be comprised of Teo Siong Seng, executive chairman, Pacific International Lines and SMF Chairman (2004-2009); Michael Chia, managing consultant, Impact Energy LLP and SMF Chairman (2010-2015); and Andreas Sohmen-Pao, chairman, BW Group and SMF Chairman (2016-2019).

Other members include Hor Weng Yew, managing director and CEO of Pacific Carriers Limited and current SMF chairman, as well as Teo Eng Dih, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and a current SMF Board Member, along with Tan Beng Tee, executive director, SMF (Moderator).

"SMF has made a meaningful contribution to Maritime Singapore's ecosystem over the past 20 years. We have and will continue to transform ourselves to be relevant to our stakeholders while being guided by our mission to strengthen Singapore as an international maritime centre and to build a talent pool to meet the evolving needs of the industry," said Hor Weng Yew, chairman of the SMF.

"I believe the next phase for SMF's evolution is to be a conduit for Maritime Singapore and other ecosystems beyond maritime. I thank our partners for supporting the work of SMF for the collective good. We will continue to build on this strong foundation of partnership and trust to do more to advance Maritime Singapore," he added.

Chee Hong Tat, acting minister for Transport, graced the event as the guest of honour.

SMF noted that building on the strong foundation established over the past two decades, SMF continues to expand its programmes and intensify efforts to promote Singapore as an international maritime centre and to develop a talent pipeline to meet the evolving needs of the industry as transformation gathers pace.

On the talent development front, it said that a record 60 MaritimeONE Scholarships were awarded in 2023 by SMF and 31 partners from industry, foundations, and unions. Since its inception in 2007, SMF and its partners have awarded close to 600 scholarships, with a sponsorship value of $16 million.