Mr. TS Teo, President, Singapore Shipping Association,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction
1    Good morning. Thank you for joining us at the Maritime AI Forum: The Next Wave. My appreciation to the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) for partnering MPA in this forum.

2    The strong turnout today reflects the growing interest in how AI can transform the way we operate, compete, and grow in an increasingly complex environment.

The AI Imperative in Maritime
3    The maritime industry is sometimes seen as cautious in adopting new technology. But AI is no longer a technology of tomorrow. It is already reshaping how companies operate and how people work. Many have aptly described this as the “Intelligence Age”. 

4    The key question is: How can our industry seize the opportunities in this “Intelligence Age”? 
•    At its core, AI enables companies to operate more efficiently and empowers our people to work smarter. It automates routine tasks, analyses complex information and proactively identifies issues. 
•    This will not only transform how work is done, but also redefine jobs and skills. Existing roles will evolve, and new roles will emerge, requiring workers to adapt and learn to use new tools.

5    It is important for us to recognise that AI will only be a disruptor for the unprepared. We should not use its disruptive nature as an excuse to not keep up. If we cannot keep up, it is because we were not prepared. 

6    At the same time, this disruption also brings opportunities. Companies and employees are under constant pressure to raise productivity, improve safety, and meet sustainability goals – all while staying competitive.

7    For Maritime Singapore, the stakes are even higher. We face tight manpower constraints, limited land and sea space, growing operational complexity, and increasing global competition. AI is not a silver bullet. But it offers new ways to overcome some of these challenges. For example, 
•    AI can detect equipment failures early, allowing engineers to reduce vessel downtime. 
•    AI and robotics can automate laborious port operations and potentially even solve problems such as coning and de-coning of twistlocks – issues our industry has been facing for many years. 
•    AI assistants can also help ship managers with intelligent decision support and enhance regulatory compliance by leveraging diverse data sources. 

8    To harness AI effectively, companies must build their capabilities and invest in workforce training. A human-centric transformation is essential, with active engagement to ensure workers are equipped to thrive in this new landscape. 

9    By growing AI capabilities across Maritime Singapore, we can unlock new opportunities, attract investments, and equip our workforce with future-ready skills. 

Singapore’s Maritime AI Vision
10    This brings me to Singapore’s vision for Maritime AI. 

11    We aspire to be a leading global hub for maritime innovation and technology. A place where companies can collaborate, develop, test and deploy AI responsibly. And where businesses of all sizes can benefit from these advancements.

12    Our vision is aligned with Singapore’s broader national directive. At this year’s Budget Debate, PM Lawrence Wong announced that he would personally chair the National Artificial Intelligence Council (NAIC) to drive AI missions in key sectors and help unlock Singapore’s competitive advantage. 
13    We have identified four sectors for the NAIC to focus on: (i) Advanced Manufacturing; (ii) Finance; (iii) Healthcare; and (iv) Connectivity and Logistics, which is deeply integrated with the maritime sector. 

14    In line with this direction and the National AI Strategy 2.0, MPA has developed a Maritime AI Capability Development Plan. This plan maps out pathways for AI adoption, with the aim of uplifting productivity, overcoming constraints, creating new business opportunities, and attracting jobs and investments to Singapore.

Today’s Forum Objectives
15    Today’s Forum is about translating this vision into action. 

16    We will hear from the speakers about different aspects of AI capability development. These include upskilling our people, identifying use cases, and driving AI innovation and governance within organisations.

17    We are heartened that many maritime companies are already playing their part in building Maritime Singapore’s AI capabilities. One example is Kuok Maritime Group. They have developed AI assistants for its maritime subsidiaries, helping their employees to make better decisions and improve productivity. This is one of many such efforts across the industry. 

Partnership & Collaboration
18    While these early efforts are encouraging, successful AI adoption will require stronger partnerships. At this year's Singapore Maritime Week, MPA and SSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly advance the adoption of AI and innovation across Maritime Singapore.

Call to Action
19    I am glad we are having this forum today on how the maritime industry can benefit from this next wave of AI. I encourage everyone to make full use of today’s programme and speak to the training and service providers to explore potential pathways.

20    AI may bring uncertainty, but it also presents immense opportunities. Companies must be ready to change. Employees must be ready to learn. 

21    By combining AI with our maritime domain expertise, we can harness this next wave to transform the industry and ensure Maritime Singapore remains competitive and future ready.

22    Thank you.