Mr SS Teo, Chairman of the Singapore Maritime Foundation,

Members of the SMF and the shipping community,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1.         It gives me great pleasure to join you all early this morning at the flag-off for the Singapore Maritime Foundation’s Great Maritime Adventure.  The Great Maritime Adventure is the pioneer event for “Maritime Now!” – a publicity and outreach campaign organized by the SMF this year to create awareness of what the maritime sector has to offer to our Singapore youths.  I am glad that the event has attracted many participants, including school students, undergraduates, teachers, and working professionals from the maritime and other sectors. 

2.         The SMF has aptly picked Clifford Pier as the starting point for the race this morning. Clifford Pier, over 70 years old, is steeped in maritime history. It was the entry point for many early seafarers and our ancestors setting foot on Singapore.  Clifford Pier has also played an important role in shaping Singapore’s maritime scene and to a certain extent, the Central Business District. Today, Clifford Pier remains a landing point for those visiting Singapore’s Southern Islands.  It is clearly an icon of our maritime heritage.

The Singapore Maritime Industry

3.         Indeed, the maritime industry has played and will continue to play a pivotal role in Singapore’s development and economic success.  Today, the industry contributes about 7% of Singapore’s GDP, and the industry remains poised for strong growth in all areas, including the shipping, port, marine and offshore sectors.  This positive outlook is driven by the fact that more than 80% of the world’s trade continues to be seaborne.  The phenomenal economic and trade growth of countries, such as China and India, will also fuel the demand for maritime trade. 

4          The growth of the Singapore maritime industry will provide a sea of exciting job opportunities for our youths.  To complement our traditional maritime strengths in the port and shipyards, Singapore is developing the high valued-added and knowledge-intensive ancillary shore-based services, such as legal services, marine insurance, and ship financing, so that we can be a comprehensive international maritime centre, or IMC for all types of maritime activities.  We need to attract bright and talented young people to join the maritime industry and to spearhead Singapore’s growth in these sectors.

5          I would like to commend the Singapore Maritime Foundation, for organising this creative Great Maritime Adventure, one of the many initiatives under the industry’s publicity and outreach programme, “Maritime Now!”.  The Great Maritime Adventure today will be fun-filled and challenging. And participants who take on this challenge will experience the different facets of the maritime industry.  I understand that teams have to use their wit to race against time to complete the various tasks.  Completing this Great Maritime Adventure will require tremendous teamwork, drive and spirit.  I am sure participants will enjoy the activities at the various pit stops around Singapore. You will be able to see Singapore’s rich maritime heritage and the exciting career potential in this sector. 

6          I would also like to thank all the participants and sponsors for your generosity and community spirit.  All the registration fees collected for this event will be matched dollar-for-dollar, and donated to the Straits Times Pocket Money Fund. 

7          With that, let me wish everyone an enjoyable day.  Have a Great Maritime Adventure! Thank you.