Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization, 

Mr Murali Pillai, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport,

Mr Loh Khum Yean, Deputy Chairman, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore 

Mr Ishak Ismail, Chairman, National Maritime Safety at Sea Council,

Mr Simon Kuik, Chairman, Marine Industries Committee, Workplace Safety and Health Council,

Sister Mary Liew, General Secretary, Singapore Maritime Officers' Union, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good morning, and a very warm welcome to the 12th International Safety@Sea Week. 

2. This is MPA’s flagship event. It brings together the local and international maritime community to promote awareness and facilitate discussions on maritime safety. Each year, we feature a series of safety-related events organised with the support of the National Maritime Safety at Sea Council, or NMSSC, as well as the MPA-Industry Safety Work Groups. 

3. This year, we are pleased to dovetail International Safety@Sea Week with the inaugural Global Aviation and Maritime Symposium, or GAMS in short, organised by the Ministry of Transport. 

4. We are honoured that the Secretaries-General of both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) accepted Singapore’s invitation to the Global Avaition of Maritime Symposium. It is the first time we are bringing the top leaders in both UN agencies to the same platform. We are living in an era of unprecedented global connectivity, where over 80% of world trade is carried by sea, and more than four billion passengers take to the skies each year. The nexus between sea and air will only grow stronger, and we need more of such platforms.

5. As a major international hub for maritime and aviation, Singapore works closely with both the IMO and ICAO. We hope that such partnerships, which proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, will facilitate sharing of insights on common challenges and opportunities, and lead to the development of integrated solutions.

6. A key focus area for both maritime and aviation sectors is safety. MPA is pleased to organise this International Safety@Sea Week, which focuses on maritime safety.

7. As a country situated in one of the busiest commercial routes in the world, maritime safety is a top priority for Singapore. Our national maritime policies emphasise ship safety and protection of the marine environment. On the international front, Singapore is party to over 30 IMO Conventions and Protocols. We have enacted and enforced all necessary laws to fulfil our obligations.  

 

8. However, we still see recent high-profile incidents like the fires onboard the car carrier Morning Midas and container ship Wan Hai 503, as well as the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 container ship. These remind us of the need to be ever-vigilant when it comes to maritime safety. It is even more critical with the transition to alternative or green fuels with new safety considerations that we must carefully address.

9. I am glad that for this year’s Conference, we have gathered leading voices from the industry, unions and regulators to offer different perspectives and discuss pertinent issues that will shape the future of maritime safety. This includes how we can leverage insights from past incidents, and engage key stakeholders such as seafarers, who play a vital role in the journey towards a safer and more resilient maritime future.

10. Allow me now to share more about Singapore’s efforts to safeguard safety as we prepare for the industry’s shift to alternative fuels.

 Safeguarding Maritime Safety in the transition to Alternative Fuel

11. In March this year, MPA opened applications for licences to supply methanol as a marine fuel in Singapore. 

This followed from the finalisation of our methanol bunkering licensing framework and standards, as well as methanol bunkering trials and operations that we have conducted since 2023. We have received 13 applications from companies, which reflects the industry’s growing confidence in methanol as a viable marine fuel and its readiness to invest and scale up methanol bunkering operations in Singapore. 

12. We aim to issue the first batch of methanol bunker supplier licences in the last quarter this year. This will allow licenced suppliers to supply methanol as a marine fuel in the Port of Singapore between 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030. 

13. Later this morning, MPA will lead a multi-agency exercise involving over 10 government agencies and industry partners to respond to a scenario of a methanol leak at sea. The exercise will coordinate efforts for spill containment, and the evacuation of injured crew. We will trial a range of drone-enabled technologies during the exercise. These include 3D imaging to assess vessel damage and a water curtain misting system to limit the spread of chemical plumes. An Uncrewed Surface Vehicle will also be deployed to monitor air quality, which reduces the need for responders to enter hazardous zones. We will also use data from the Maritime Digital Twin and chemical plume modelling tools to enhance situational awareness and support decision-making throughout the exercise.

14. This is part of MPA’s broader preparations for methanol bunkering. It will provide a valuable opportunity for agencies and industry partners to better understand the safety and operational challenges, and potential solutions, in handling such fuels. The insights gained from the exercise, together with ongoing studies by our research and industry partners, will help MPA and government agencies to develop better strategies to safely and effectively manage incidents involving such fuels. 

15. Next, MPA also focuses on fostering a safety-first culture. We know that the human element is a key factor, and everyone has a part to play. That is why we started the Safety@Sea Singapore campaign in 2014 to foster collaboration with industry on safety matters. Through the years, we have worked on initiatives to:

a) Instil a strong and proactive safety culture;

b) Improve safe navigational passage; and

c) Enhance communications and information sharing to generate awareness and encourage safe practices.

16. This month, members of the NMSSC are involved in two new initiatives. The first is the Marine and Maritime Leadership Breakfast event co-organised by MPA and the Workplace Safety and Health Council which was held last week. It involved C-suite leaders from marine and maritime companies, as well as relevant government agencies, to learn from one another and share views on how to elevate workplace safety, in particular for work activities at anchorages. 

17. Later this week, NMSSC members will engage with a group of maritime personnel with primary responsibility for safety in their organisations. This will take place at the inaugural Safety@Sea Community Conversations event. We want to build a network of safety champions on the ground, where open dialogue is encouraged, and common experiences are shared for mutual benefit.

18. This morning, we will also be presenting the MPA Safety@Sea Awards for two categories. 

The first is for Outstanding Contributions to Search and Rescue Efforts last year. The second is for the Open Category, that recognises an organisation for innovation in technology or systems, as well as design or training, that improve safety at sea within the maritime industry. 

19. In reviewing the nominations this year, the NMSSC noted the commendable efforts of ship masters and crews involved in search and rescue operations. They have made the difference in these time-critical, life-and-death situations, grappling with adverse weather conditions and/or busy traffic conditions. In some instances, they made bold decisions to deviate a long distance from their planned route so that they could render assistance to those in need. 

20. Of note, Rio Tinto – the award recipient for this year’s Open Category, has made an impact by bringing stakeholders together onboard with a holistic framework to drive and elevate safety standards in dry bulk shipping.

21. Through its Designated Owners & Operators  Programme and Master Coach Programme, the company has seen a 40 per cent reduction in critical shipboard incidents in 2024 compared to 2022. 

Since the launch of the programme in February 2023, there have been no fatalities and permanent disabilities, and a 70 per cent reduction of reported personal injuries onboard its chartered vessels during the same period.

22. Congratulations to all our award winners and thank you for your commitment to safety at sea. 

23. Before I close, I would like to thank our friends from the maritime administrations of other countries for making time to participate in the International Safety@Sea Week this year.

24. I would also like to convey my deepest appreciation to all our partners who have responded to MPA’s call to organise or co-organise safety-related events and initiatives this week. I hopre that you find this useful and that more of you will come on board for next year’s Safety@Sea Week.

25. Please enjoy the rest of the Conference, and I wish you a fruitful, and productive and safe week ahead.

26. Thank you.