Singapore, 12 September 2025 — The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) continued to show dedication and ambition as it reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the next generation of maritime professionals, with the MaritimeONE Scholarship awarded to 60 students yesterday at the 2025 Scholarship Award Ceremony officiated by guest of honour, Mr Baey Yam Keng, Minister of State for Culture, Community & Youth and Transport. The event is a tangible demonstration of the maritime industry’s expanding pool of talent and the dedication of the industry to sustainability, innovation, and social impact.
Solid support & record contributions
This year, the SMF had 39 sponsoring organisations – shipping lines, ports, marine & offshore, classification societies, associations and foundations – and collectively they made scholarships of S$1.48 million possible. This generosity from the sponsors is impressive – it demonstrates both their commitment and the growing belief in the maritime ecosystem of the need for capable maritime professionals who can prepare for the future.
Since the MaritimeONE scholarship scheme began in 2007, there have been more than 700 scholarships awarded, and the total value of scholarships awarded has exceeded S$19 million – that means considerable momentum and sustainability moving forward for the programme.
A Broadening Group that Mirrors the Evolving Industry
While we celebrate the continued core disciplines in maritime studies and engineering, this year’s recipients reflect a more diverse range of scholarship. Among the 60 recipients there are students in business administration, mathematical sciences, mechanical engineering, naval architecture, marine engineering, and more! In recent years SMF has also taken steps to broaden eligibility to students in accountancy and in data science & artificial intelligence, in business analytics, and in computer sciences, and we even invited students undertaking law! We have made these changes not simply on a whim but to acknowledge the multidisciplinary aspects of modern maritime issues.
This diversification of the fields of study corresponds with the industry’s own transformation. The development of shipping has led to (1) digitalisation, (2) greener and greener measures, and (3) complexity. Stakeholders require skills not only in the classic forms of navigation and ship design; they require skills in data analytics, environmental science, compliance, and sustainable supply chain and logistics!
Fully Enriched Experience Beyond Monetary Support
The MaritimeONE Scholarships are not just a simple cheque; they provide rich, comprehensive immersion in the maritime world. Scholars receive:
- Tangible internships
- Networking with the best maritime leaders in the industry
- Workshops engaging with key real-life maritime problems
- Structured mentoring with experienced maritime leaders
- Experience in giving back to the community through partnering with charities like The Food Bank Singapore or the Ocean Purpose Project
Each of these components of the programme allows the scholars to develop soft skills, enhance their professional networks, and help them understand how they can impact both technology and society in their future roles.
Future-Facing Commitments and Partnerships
To show ongoing support, 13 major maritime companies and organisations signed MOUs with SMF at the ceremony, committing them to multi-year support for the MaritimeONE scholarship and talent development initiatives.
Partnerships are important to ensure continuation and to align education opportunities with the industry landscape. The shipping business is transitioning to cleaner fuels, digitalisation, autonomous systems, zero-emissions targets and stricter environmental regulations, and in turn demands workers with flexible, multidisciplinary skill sets.
Why It’s Important
- Economic Value: The maritime sector is one of the most critical components of Singapore’s economy. It is now an important contributor to jobs, innovation, trade and connectivity.
- World Dominance: With more than 80% of world trade taking place by sea, the stakes are high. Decarbonisation, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical movements are all pressing issues requiring the industry to change.
- Talent War: As the sector expands, the competition to build teams of excellent, motivated, and well-rounded people is more significant than ever before. Programmes like MaritimeONE are instrumental to building pipelines of talent at a time when technical excellence must co-exist with digital literacy, environmental consciousness, policy awareness, and global thinking in young maritime professionals.
Looking Ahead: SMF’s MaritimeONE programme has invested over S$19 million in almost two decades and continues to expand its reach and effectiveness. The new cohort of the 2025 MENTOR programme not only highlights the excellence of the current crop of students but also points to the future of the maritime sector, a future where students from non-traditional disciplines continue to be a major part of the answer and where sustainability, digitalisation, and community are embedded in the fabric of the work of a maritime professional.
The 2025 Scholarship Award Ceremony was so much more than an opportunity to hand out some money. It was an affirmation of a collective belief: the future of the maritime sector in Singapore relies on a bold, diverse, and engaged cohort of leaders, ready to tackle both the waves and the winds ahead.
