MPA to work with World Maritime University to train global maritime leaders

THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is aiming to train more global maritime industry leaders even as it tries to develop the local maritime workforce further.

The authority's training arm, MPA Academy, on Wednesday inked a memorandum of understanding with the World Maritime University (WMU) to work on leadership development programmes. WMU is a post-graduate university set up in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization. As part of the deal, the academy and the university may also exchange faculty members.

Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew said on Tuesday that MPA would be introducing a career conversion programme for locals to switch to the maritime industry midway through their career, pointing to a "shortage of both seafaring and shore-based maritime manpower, even in nations with a rich seafaring heritage".

Speaking at the opening of the Sea Asia 2015 maritime convention, held at Marina Bay Sands as part of the 10th annual Singapore Maritime Week, Mr Lui, who is also Second Minister for Defence, said government maritime policies would remain "pro-business" to retain and attract firms here.

Maritime Week events this year included a lecture by shipping industry titan CC Tung, chairman of Hong Kong-based shipping group Orient Overseas (International) Ltd, on Wednesday, as well as the Singapore International Maritime Awards on Tuesday evening.

At the awards ceremony, the Outstanding Maritime R&D and Technology Award went to Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre and the Offshore & Marine Engineering Award went to Sembcorp Marine.