Maritime: An Industry where Passion Meets Purpose

By Tan Beng Tee, Executive Director, Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF)

 

 

Dear Students,

 

As the year-end festivities draw near, many of you may be planning dinner gatherings with your friends and loved ones. When you walk through the supermarket, have you ever wondered how the daily goods we consume such as rice, meats, fruits and even ice cream and chocolates are transported to Singapore? Chances are, as with the vast majority of goods that we either use or consume, they were carried by ships at some point of the supply chain.

 

With over 80% of international trade transported by sea, the maritime industry is indispensable to our daily living. As a global hub port and leading international maritime centre, many maritime companies whose services keep the world going have a presence in Singapore. These include the shipping companies who own or operate ships, cargo owners who charter ships, shipbrokers who provide intermediary services, marine insurers who underwrite risks, ship financiers who provide loans, shipping lawyers and arbitrators who manage disputes, and more.

 

Maritime has entered an exciting period of transition where technology is increasingly harnessed to make shipping smarter, safer, and more sustainable. This has, in turn, created diverse and purposeful career possibilities for those entering the workforce.

 

With a mission to connect young talent with opportunities in this evergreen and dynamic sector, the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) manages a suite of talent development programmes under the MaritimeONE umbrella in partnership with leading maritime companies based here. One of the many ways for students to gain industry exposure, be mentored by industry practitioners and embark on maritime careers is through the MaritimeONE Scholarship Programme. Fully sponsored by the industry, a record of 63 scholarships were awarded in 2024 to tertiary students from a wide range of both maritime and non-maritime related disciplines such as engineering, computer science, data science and artificial intelligence, business and law.

 

Let’s hear from Lim Xin Ye, a Year 4 NTU student pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Maritime Studies with Specialisation in International Trading. Xin Ye is a recipient of the MPA Global Internship Award (GIA) and the Norden & Orient Fond—MaritimeONE Scholarship, and her experience is illustrative of the opportunities in store for youths considering a career that is dynamic and purposeful.

 

 

 

 

 

Lim Xin Ye

Year 4, Maritime Studies Undergraduate with a Specialisation in International Trading

Nanyang Technological University

 

My maritime journey began as a child, marvelling at port cranes I called 'giraffes' silhouetted against the sunset. What started as a fascination grew into a curiosity about how these ports connected the world. This sense of wonder eventually led me to pursue Maritime Studies at NTU.

 

The MPA Global Internship Award (GIA) was pivotal in transforming my curiosity into a clear career path. It was my first exposure to ship management, both locally and abroad, providing invaluable hands-on experience. My first overseas business trip to Cyprus with the company remains a cherished memory, from honing communication and teamwork skills to connecting with colleagues over beach volleyball.

 

An exchange program at Erasmus University Rotterdam later broadened my understanding of the industry’s global scale. Visits to companies and ports showed me how seamlessly the industry operates 24/7. With the support of professors and friends, I felt more confident than ever about my place in this dynamic sector.

 

Upon returning to Singapore, I interned with a trading house, where I worked closely with an experienced charterer. Making impactful decisions on shipments and gaining insights from brokers and traders further solidified my passion for the industry.

 

Encouraged by these experiences and eager to keep growing, I applied for and was awarded the Norden and Orient Fond — MaritimeONE Scholarship. The scholarship connected me with like-minded individuals and opened doors to exclusive events that are essential for my professional development. The support from SMF and fellow scholars has fostered an inspiring, collaborative environment for me to thrive.

 

From the cranes that once inspired awe to the complex global trade network, my journey has come a full circle. The maritime industry is where passion meets purpose, and I’m grateful to be part of it.

 

 

Applications for the 2025 cycle of the MPA GIA are now open till the end of December 2024, while applications for the 2025 intake of MaritimeONE Scholars will begin in April next year. In the meantime, here are some other ways in which you can gain valuable industry exposure!

 

 

Learn more about Javier’s experience interning with X-Press Feeders, a world-leading independent feeder carrier, as part of the Summer 2024 MaritimeONE Internship Programme.

 

 

 

Discover how your course of study can bring you on a career pathway into maritime. Choose your MariTimeline today and receive an exclusive career navigation guide here.

 

 

 

Visit the MaritimeONE Career Portal, Singapore’s only maritime-dedicated career portal and a one-stop resource for you to get started on your maritime journey.