Singapore, 16 July 2016 | For immediate release

MPA launches inaugural Maritime Youth Festival
A weekend of fun-filled activities to engage youth

          Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Transport, Mrs Josephine Teo officially opened the inaugural Maritime Youth Festival (MYF) today. Organised by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), MYF is a biennial two-day festival that aims to raise awareness of Maritime Singapore through a weekend of fun-filled activities.

2        Positioned as an event that is run for youth by youth, participants will be introduced to different aspects of maritime industry in a light-hearted manner through booth games and activities.   

3        Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA said, “We are excited about this new initiative. The MYF reflects a fresh approach towards engaging young Singaporeans on the many exciting opportunities offered by the maritime sector.  This is the first dedicated youth platform where MPA and our partners work closely with youths to co-create activities for them. Together with the Singapore Maritime Week, which is more industry focused, we hope MYF will become the flagship event for youths to find out more about the maritime sector and change their perceptions towards a sector that is global, vibrant and resilient.”

4        All MYF-related competitions and activities for the inaugural run are targeted at youths between 18 and 35 years old.  To kick start the momentum in preparation for MYF, a logo design competition was organised in January 2016.  About 100 entries were received and the winning logo design was voted by the youth themselves.  The winner of the MYF logo design competition, Mr Herbert Ng, is a designer by profession. 

5        The MYF Youth Creativity Awards enable youths to demonstrate their creative talent in various ways.  Two competition categories – “Fashion” and “Gifts” – were created for the first edition. Designers were asked to express their sentiments evoked by the word ‘maritime’ through fashion and gift designs.  The shortlisted fashion designs were paraded at the launch event for live judging. Mr Siah Kar Hoe's fashion pieces won the hearts of the judges and emerged as the winner for the fashion category.  The winner for the gift category was Mr Xue Weilong, Benjamin. The entry titled “The Idea of Revolution” comprises a set of maritime-themed spinning tops that allows users to play while they work. It promotes productive fidgeting and helps them to concentrate while pondering over a problem. 

6        Another highlight of the MYF is the world’s first Maritime Spartan Youth Challenge.  Spartan was chosen as the sporting event because it shares similar spirits as Maritime Singapore, which is vital, versatile, resilient, and leading.  Youth’s determination and resilience were put to test through 11 Spartan obstacles over a 400 metre circuit.  The top 100 male and top 100 female challengers will win free passes to Spartan Race in Bintan this November. 

7         MYF has also included a career showcase that is unlike the usual career fair.  Visitors will get to understand more about maritime professions through interactive games.  For example, they will build an oil rig model out of 3D puzzles to learn more about being a marine engineer. In addition, visitors will also get a free personality profiling to know more about their personal attributes. 

8        The two-day festival is open free to the public from 16 – 17 July 2016, 11am to 8pm, at Tan Quee Lan Street. About 3,000 visitors are expected to attend the festival. 

SMS Josephine Teo launching inaugural Maritime Youth Festival

8 shortlisted fashion designs were paraded at MYF

8 shortlisted fashion designs were paraded at MYF

8 shortlisted fashion designs were paraded at MYF

8 shortlisted fashion designs were paraded at MYF

Mr Siah Kar Hoe winner of Youth Creativity Award

<End of Release>

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.

For media clarification, please contact:

Fouziah A. Rahim

Manager

Corporate Communications Department

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

DID: (65) 6375-1852

Email: Fouziah_rahim@mpa.gov.sg