MPA Fosters Youth Learning on Maritime Singapore
Maritime Youth Clubs and 2nd edition of Singapore Maritime Trails launched

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) officially launched today the Maritime Youth Club (MYC) programme and the second edition of the Singapore Maritime Trails. These new outreach programmes are part of MPA's ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the maritime industry amongst the youths, grow a pipeline of maritime talent and promote the growth and development of Maritime Singapore.

MPA's Chairman Mr Lucien Wong said, "The Maritime Youth Club programme is part of MPA's greater efforts to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of Singapore's maritime sector. The MYC will provide another platform in the Singapore education landscape for youths to be exposed to the maritime sector in a fun, interactive and engaging manner. It will reiterate the important role that maritime plays in our daily lives and inspire the young to consider a career in the maritime industry."

Maritime Youth Club (MYC)

Under the MYC programme, MPA provides funding of between $1,000 and $12,000 per year, per club. Schools from primary to tertiary levels are now able to tap into this funding scheme to set up dedicated Maritime Youth Clubs, integrate MYC activities as part of existing Co-Curricular Activities' (CCAs), or carry out maritime-related activities through their department/subject working committees.

By introducing this funding programme, MPA aims to encourage more schools to organise maritime-themed activities for students, including talks or visits to a maritime company, port or shipyard. These activities will allow the youths to experience the various aspects of the maritime industry, as well as help the industry to cultivate the next generation of maritime leaders and professionals.

Mr Kristin L. Wood, Professor of Engineering & Product Development at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) said, "The launch of the Maritime Youth Club enables educational institutions across Singapore to organise amazing activities, competitions, and opportunities through the MYCs. At SUTD and the SUTD-MIT International Design Centre, we are pleased to be the pioneer MYCs of MPA. We see value in tapping into the funding to create platforms for our MYC students to be engaged in the exciting frontiers of the maritime field and pursue their creative dreams and ambitions for Singapore and for their future."

Nanyang Technological University's Maritime Business Society President, Mr Tyan Chwan Rong, added, "This new initiative by MPA definitely brings students closer to the professional world of the maritime industry by bringing them out of the classroom. They are now able to go on exciting site visits, gain knowledge from the key industry players and also to network with more working professionals in the industry."

More information on the Maritime Youth Club is available in Annex A.

Singapore Maritime Trail 2 (SMT 2)

At the same launch event held at the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, MPA also launched the Singapore Maritime Trail 2. The first edition of the Singapore Maritime Trails was launched in April 2014 and largely focused on Singapore's maritime heritage, tracing the progress of Singapore's maritime sector through a guided tour of local maritime heritage sites such as Fort Canning and Boat Quay.

Building on the success of the first trail, SMT 2 will feature additional locations to showcase Singapore's rich and diverse maritime history, including sites where important maritime activities were carried out in the past, such as the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, the former Keppel Harbour and Clifford Pier. While the first trail is more maritime heritage focused, SMT 2 maps out the progress and advancement of Maritime Singapore and features more recent landmarks like Maxwell Chambers and Marina South Pier.

SMT 2 complements the S$500,000 Maritime Heritage Fund (MHF), launched last year as part of MPA's wider public outreach efforts to promote a greater appreciation of Singapore's maritime sector and its heritage. The MHF provides funding for maritime-related heritage projects and is open to applicants till March 2017. More information about the MHF is available at http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/maritime_singapore/mhf/maritime-heritage-fund.page.

Complimentary guided trails for the general public run every first Saturday of the month for Trail 1, and every second Saturday of the month for Trail 2, from 9am to 12pm.

Interested members of the public may call +65 6836 6466 (Mondays to Fridays, 9am-6.30pm) or email fang_jiayun@mpa.gov.sg to register or request for more information.

Mr Lucien Wong, MPA Chairman, giving his welcome remarks


Launching the Maritime Youth Club and the second edition of the Singapore Maritime Trails

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