Singapore is taking further steps to strengthen its maritime talent pipeline with new initiatives to build capabilities in tandem with industry evolution and providing more pathways into maritime careers.

2. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) – Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) Joint Office for Talent and Skills has partnered Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to develop a master’s-level programme in vessel management.

3. The programme complements the seafaring route by providing an alternative pathway to marine and technical superintendent roles. Engineering and naval architecture graduates, as well as seafaring professionals wishing to transition to shore-based roles, can undergo structured, competency-based training, including shipboard stints to gain practical experience.

4. SMU Academy, the professional training arm of Singapore Management University (SMU), will launch the Industry Graduate Diploma (IGD) in Maritime in August 2026. As part of its Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy, this programme expands SMU Academy’s practice-oriented postgraduate offerings to meet the growing talent needs of the maritime sector. 

5. Co-developed with industry and supported by MPA, the IGD in Maritime equips mid-career professionals with business, operational and leadership skills for shore-based commercial maritime roles. Its modular structure allows participants to pursue targeted certificates or complete the full industry graduate diploma, which can be stacked towards the Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy.

6. The IGD comprises two certificates — the ‘Advanced Certificate in Maritime Business and Management’ and the ‘Advanced Certificate in Maritime Operations and Risk Management’ — covering topics such as business, finance, sustainability, operations and strategic risk management.

7. There is a growing need for deeper engineering and technical capabilities as ships become more digitalised and new fuels are introduced.

8. The Maritime Engineering Doctoral Training Centre (MEDTC), launched by SIT in collaboration with industry partners, aims to strengthen engineering capabilities by introducing Industrial Doctorate and Master programmes focused on applied research.

9. These programmes allow students to work on industry-defined projects in areas such as marine electrification and battery safety, translating research into practical solutions in partnership with classification societies, marine technology companies and startups [1].

10. As shipboard systems become increasingly digitalised and interconnected with shore-based systems, there are increased cybersecurity risks to shipboard operations. Shipping companies will need information technology (IT) professionals who can operate beyond traditional IT security roles, with an understanding of both shore-based and shipboard systems, including navigation, propulsion, and power management.

11. MPA, together with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), SIT and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), will launch the Cybersecurity for Maritime Operational Technology programme in August 2026. 

12. Informed by feedback from SSA member companies, the programme is designed for corporate IT professionals in shipping companies. The two-month programme covers key shipboard systems and how they interface with shore-based operations. Participants will receive hands-on training using the MariOT [2] simulator at SUTD’s iTrust Centre, allowing them to manage cyber incidents in a simulated training environment.

13. The MaritimeONE scholarship programme, spearheaded by the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) with the support of the industry, continues to build a pipeline of talent for the sector with 60 scholarships worth S$1.48 million, awarded by 39 sponsoring organisations in 2025 to a diverse profile of tertiary students. In addition to scholarships, SMF placed 169 students across commercial, operations, technical and corporate internships in 81 companies.

14. In addition, the MPA Global Internship Award (GIA) provides overseas placements, with 42 participants gaining international exposure through the award in 2025. MPA will continue to support international exposure and exchanges for students. An example is the MPA–Shanghai Maritime University Memorandum of Understanding, which facilitates student visits, training programmes and professional exchanges. MPA and Shanghai Maritime University will renew their partnership at this year’s Singapore Maritime Week to expand opportunities for professional exchanges and collaboration.

15. Outreach efforts are also being expanded to secondary schools and junior colleges through partnerships with student and youth groups to build early awareness of maritime careers.

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[1] Partners include ABS, Bureau Veritas, DNV, RINA, Naval Group, Pyxis and Sea Forrest.

[2] The Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT) is an industrial-grade cyber-physical simulator of shipboard systems.