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Singapore government readies maritime workforce for digital transformation

Singaporean authorities are taking steps to transform maritime manpower in the republic in step with the technological changes sweeping through the industry.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Sea Asia, a conference and exhibition taking place in Singapore this week, coordinating minister for infrastructure and minister for transport, Khaw Boon Wan, said that with the advent of digitalisation in the industry, the government is taking steps to help companies develop capabilities to succeed in the future.

He cited the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) enhanced Maritime Cluster Fund as an example. The fund now provides more co-funding for companies that want to use technology to optimise their processes or transform their business models.

Khaw also highlighted the importance of preparing the local workforce for transformations driven by digitalisation in the industry, adding that the jobs of tomorrow will be markedly different from today.

“We have to ensure that our maritime manpower is equipped to handle transformation, and for some of them, to drive the transformation,” said Khaw.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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