Diversity of tertiary finalists at MaritimeONE digital challenge reflects evolving nature of industry on the cusp of change

Students from Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University seize victory as champions of the third edition of the case competition.
The Singapore Maritime Foundation announced the winning teams of the MaritimeONE Digital Challenge 2023 at an awards ceremony last evening.
Organised by SMF in collaboration with industry partners, the annual case competition invites students from Singapore’s universities and polytechnics to respond to challenge statements at the intersection of maritime and technology. This year’s edition is sponsored by leading multinationals Eastern Pacific Shipping, IMC Shipping and Pacific International Lines.
From an initial 190 students across 60 registered teams, the nine finalist teams comprise students coming from a diverse range of disciplines including maritime studies, supply chain management, business, economics, computer science, and data analytics.
The following are the winners of the MDC 2023:
|
COMPANY |
CHALLENGE SYNOPSIS |
WINNING TEAMS |
|
Eastern Pacific Shipping
|
To devise novel concepts towards an emissions digital tool that allows shipping organisations to visualise and compare vessel emissions across fleet and industry, forecast voyage emissions based on port- to-port data, account for various fuel types and obtain a measure of fuel selection cost. |
Champion Team: NE 1st Runner-up Team: 2KGoals 2nd Runner-up Team: Confusion Matrix Institution: National University of Singapore Merit Prizes Team: CSMS |
|
Institution: Nanyang Technological University Team: Green Marine |
||
|
IMC Shipping |
To model a solution that delivers a system which optimises the rotation of ships with the objective of minimising emissions per tonne of cargo handled. |
Champion Team: MarinaBytes 1st Runner-up Team: Vessel404 2nd Runner-up Team: SOECO Merit Prizes Team: Merry Time, Want? Institution: National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University Team: Halp |
|
Pacific International Lines
|
To propose a digital smart tool for the liner shipping business that streamlines and optimises the entire tender process for customers — enhancing efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining security and confidentiality. |
Champion Team: GRQ 1st Runner-up Team: Tenderisers 2nd Runner-up Team: Caviato Merit Prizes Team: Meeparino |
|
Team: YWWY |
Quote from SMF Chairman
“There is significant potential to harness technology to spur the digitalisation and decarbonisation of maritime. I am heartened to see that the challenge statements crafted by the sponsor companies energised and engaged the diverse pool of talent — of whom a quarter are majoring in a technology-related discipline — that responded to the MaritimeONE Digital Challenge. I thank our industry sponsors Eastern Pacific Shipping, IMC Shipping and Pacific International Lines for mentoring our youths and for giving them a glimpse of exciting opportunities in the sector,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman of the Singapore Maritime Foundation.
Quotes from Eastern Pacific Shipping and Champion Team
“As a leading tonnage provider, EPS is keen to explore new ideas and technologies that support our decarbonisation initiatives. The MaritimeONE Digital Challenge has certainly presented exciting opportunities to work with these students to develop novel concepts and digital tools, and we have been very encouraged by their creativity, motivation and hard work. These talent, who will make up our future workforce, will certainly help drive digitalisation to greater heights in the industry’s decarbonisation journey,” said Mr. Pavlos Karagiannidis, Fleet Optimisation Manager, Eastern Pacific Shipping.
“Through our internship experiences, we understand the struggles and the importance of visualising carbon emissions in an automated and reliable manner. Having an emissions dashboard as a tracking system allows a company to know it’s on the right track of decarbonisation by telling the ‘how’s and ‘why’s’ to decarbonise. With tightening regulations, emissions reporting must be more frequent and accurate, such that the industry can work on a concrete database to decarbonise efficiently. The EPS Challenge strikes the best balance for the skillsets of our team — with members with maritime knowledge, and others with data science skills; such that we synergise well to come up with a quality digital tool,” said Mr. Brandon Sia, a Year 3 business management student from the Singapore Management University, and team leader of Team NE, champion for Eastern Pacific Shipping’s challenge statement
Quotes from IMC Shipping and Champion Team
“We are very impressed with how the students answered our complex challenge statement with creativity, innovation, and collaboration. The winning teams demonstrated a keen understanding of the critical role that AI and technology play in reducing carbon emissions and driving sustainability. They employed various inventive strategies and efforts to consider the interests of all stakeholders in order to create concepts and models that have potential to be adopted and sustained. We thank the Singapore Maritime Foundation for the opportunity to engage and mentor these young talent, and we look forward to seeing how this next generation can inspire and bring about a sea of change to decarbonisation in the maritime industry,” said Capt. Venkatesh Dutt, Head of Operations, IMC Shipping.
“With the clock ticking towards 2030 and 2050 net zero carbon emissions targets, we understand the urgency to resolve congestion issues at ports. We’re working towards a future where every port call leaves a smaller ecological footprint, contributing to a greener Earth. Our team aims to pave the way for a more efficient, resilient and environmentally-conscious port call system by leveraging data analytics and algorithmic models to propel us into this new age, future-proofing our solution for the generations to come,” said Mr. Loi Jing, a Year 2 maritime studies student from Nanyang Technological University, and team leader of MarinaBytes, champion for IMC Shipping’s challenge statement.

Quotes from Pacific International Lines and Champion Team
“It was indeed impressive for the teams to acquire an in-depth understanding of the shipping industry within such a short span of time, and we are proud to see that Singapore has so many talented students capable of coming up with innovative solutions to revolutionise our business processes. Their fresh perspectives andbrilliant ideas have been inspiring, and we are delighted to be a part of this year’s MaritimeONE Digital Challenge in nurturing these young talent for the future of Singapore’s maritime industry,” said Mr. Leslie Yee, General Manager, Information Systems, PIL.
“Our team recognises the vital role of technology in transforming the maritime industry, be it in terms of automation for efficiency, reducing errors and minimising risks, or to optimise analytical processes. MDC 2023 gives us the unique opportunity to actively engage in a project with PIL, providing real solutions that address real problems. This offers us valuable insights into the liner business, and allows us to explore the potential of technology in the maritime industry,” said Ms. Joveen Yue, a Year 4 economics student from the Singapore Management University, and team captain of GRQ, champion for Pacific International Lines’ challenge statement.

Related News.
October 23, 2026
Columbia Group calls for greater focus on retaining women at sea as second She Beyond Conference takes place
Columbia Group has called on the maritime industry to create a future where women can thrive, progress and lead at sea, as it celebrated the second…
October 23, 2026
Neptune Group Welcomes “NIKOS TRAVLOS”
The new vessel proudly bears the name of Neptune's founder, who laid the foundation for the creation and enduring evolution of the Group. Her…
October 23, 2026
Wildcat Defense enters into exclusive agreement to acquire Fraser Shipyards
American family firm takes the next step in its strategy to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding and repair capacity, following its offer for Austal USA.…
October 23, 2026
Kawasaki signs strategic partnership MOU with Romania’s Transgaz for Onshore Hydrogen Gas Transport
Establishing a model for large-scale hydrogen supply and transport via pipelines Kawasaki Heavy Industries, announced at the Romania–Japan…
October 23, 2026
UK P&I Club and TT Club secure regulatory approval for Thomas Miller acquisition
The UK P&I Club and TT Club announce the successful completion of their joint acquisition of the Thomas Miller Holdings group, marking a major…
October 23, 2026
Valenciaport presents its Sandbox at PEIC’26 as a tool to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation
The opening session featured a discussion between Valenciaport President Mar Chao and Valenciaport Foundation Director Antonio Torregrosa. The…
October 23, 2026
Major investments strengthen Gothenburg RoRo Terminal
Expanded terminal areas, new rail connections and modernised quays are among the investments that have strengthened Gothenburg RoRo Terminal in…
October 23, 2026
ABP appoints key roles in the Humber
Associated British Ports has made two key appointments at its container terminals strengthening its unitised operations at the ports of Immingham…
October 23, 2026
Xinhua Silk Road 2026 North Bund Forum unveils 20 shipping-related achievements
The 2026 North Bund Forum opened in Shanghai on October 20 with 20 key shipping-related achievements spanning international cooperation, green…
October 23, 2026
Ports encouraged to prepare now for advanced nuclear in maritime and clean energy
New joint Lloyd’s Register and British Ports Association paper sets out a practical readiness pathway for ports considering nuclear-powered vessels,…
Subscribe to our newsletter!
if you dont want to swim alone in the ocean of news, sign up for the newsletter, and you will receive daily all the important news of world shipping!
Design & Development by P.KAN.DESIGNER
© 2026 Cyprus Shipping News. All rights reserved
Design & Development by P.KAN.DESIGNER
© 2026 Cyprus Shipping News. All rights reserved























