Singapore Maritime Week 2023 Notches up 20,000 Footfalls

Padmesh Prabhune

The 17^th edition of Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2023 concluded successfully on Friday April 28, with its clarion call on action to achieve the global maritime industry’s ambitions.

The edition turned out to be one of the largest ever, with close to 50 events taking place from 24 to 28 April wherein general public could also get a glimpse of the maritime sector through learning journeys organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). MPA said the line-up of conferences, meetings and dialogues at SMW 2023 was organised around four pillars: decarbonisation, innovation, talent, and services.

The week-long event successfully gathered over 20,000 maritime professionals, including delegates from governments, port authorities and international organisations, as well as industry experts, thought leaders, students from various disciplines, and members of the public.

The week also witnessed a workshop on e-Navigation (ENAV) and vessel traffic service (VTS) with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), from April 25-27, designed for maritime and port administrators who oversee VTS and/or ENAV in their countries.

Earlier on Monday April 24, SMW 2023 was officially launched by Mr S Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations. Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Mr Iswaran emphasised three areas of ambition for continued growth and success in the maritime industry: ensuring steady progress for maritime decarbonisation, aligning international standards in the move towards greater digitalisation, and redoubling efforts to attract and nurture talent.

He said, “The journey ahead for the maritime sector is not without its uncertainties and challenges, but it also holds the promise of new and interesting opportunities. Our collective mission must be to work together, navigate our path through choppy waters, and stay the course.”

IMO Secretary-General Mr Kitack LIM while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of SMW 2023, highlighted that IMO Member States are currently actively engaged in upgrading IMO’s Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping by July this year.

To commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the adoption of the IMO Convention and 25th anniversary of the IMO-Singapore Memorandum of Understanding on the Third Country Training Programme, Mr Iswaran announced that Singapore will pledge a new enhanced technical co-operation and training package1 of USD 5 million for the 2024 to 2028 period comprising fellowships, scholarships, workshops, and courses for IMO and its Member States, with the initial USD 2 million committed for 2024 and 2025. The enhanced technical co-operation and training package reaffirms Singapore’s commitment to support the development of the international maritime community through maritime leadership training and capacity building.

Marex Media