The MaritimeONE Scholarship spearheaded by the Singapore Maritime Foundation demonstrates the sector coming together as one to develop the next generation of maritime professionals

A total of 60 MaritimeONE Scholarships was awarded by sponsors from the maritime industry, unions, associations and foundations at the MaritimeONE Scholarship Award Ceremony 2025 held this evening by the Singapore Maritime Foundation Mr. Baey Yam Keng, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Transport, was the Guest-of-Honour.

MaritimeONE Scholarship Provides Maritime Singapore with a Robust Pipeline of Industry-ready Talent Pool

This year, 39 sponsoring organisations (see Annex A) demonstrated Maritime Singapore’s collective commitment to cultivating a robust talent pipeline, contributing S$1.48 million worth in scholarships to a diverse profile of tertiary students. These organisations come from a broad spectrum of Singapore’s maritime ecosystem, including shipping, port operations, maritime services, marine and offshore, associations, classification societies, and foundations.

Apart from academic pursuits, MaritimeONE scholars enjoy a holistic immersion programme which ranges from internship opportunities to participation in industry networking events and career workshops, to mentorship by maritime professionals, and more. They also learn the value of giving back through SMF’s partnership with community organisations such as The Food Bank Singapore and Ocean Purpose Project.

Since the inception of the programme in 2007, more than 700 scholarships with an aggregate value of over S$19 million have been awarded by SMF and sponsor organisations.

Diverse Profile of MaritimeONE Scholars Reflect Responsiveness to Evolving Industry Needs

With a majority of the MaritimeONE Scholarship recipients pursuing maritime-related disciplines, in recent years, an increasing number of recipients are enrolled in other

courses such as accountancy, data science and artificial intelligence, business analytics, computer science, electrical and electronic engineering, law, and more.

The 2025 cohort of MaritimeONE scholars are pursuing courses in business administration, maritime studies, mathematical sciences, mechanical engineering, naval architecture and marine engineering, and more. The diversity of the scholarship recipients reflects the dynamic nature of Singapore’s maritime ecosystem and itsongoing transformation to become more digital and sustainable.

Leading Maritime Companies and Organisations Underscore Collective Commitment to Building Talent through Multi-Year Support of MaritimeONE Scholarship

To underscore the industry’s support and pledge to build a sustained pipeline of maritime talent, 13 leading maritime companies and organisations (see Annex B) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SMF, committing to multi-year support of the MaritimeONE Scholarship and talent development programmes. These MOUs signal the maritime community’s confidence in the sector’s continued growth and the determination to build a resilient and future-ready workforce for Maritime Singapore.

Quotes from MaritimeONE Scholarship Recipients

“The maritime industry inspires me because it serves as the lifeline of global trade, connecting communities and economies worldwide. My goal is to contribute to sustainable and innovative supply chain solutions that support global trade and strengthen resilience in the face of evolving challenges,” said Ms. Elicia Chan,valedictorian of 2025’s MaritimeONE Scholars, and a recipient of the X-PRESS FEEDERS – MaritimeONE Scholarship 2025. Ms. Chan is pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Supply Chain Management at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

“I was drawn to maritime by its critical role in global trade and its ongoing commitment to transformation, hence inspiring my transition from aviation to help navigate its future. Being awarded the MaritimeONE scholarship has welcomed me into the industry, and I am excited to begin my career, working to bridge my experience into optimising operations and driving decarbonisation for a more resilient and innovative future in maritime,” said Ms. Lim Jia Huey Sally, a recipient of the Norden & Orient Ford – MaritimeONE Scholarship 2025. Ms. Lim is pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Maritime Studies at Nanyang Technological University.

“Since young, the maritime industry has captivated me with its global reach in connecting nations, economies, and people, as well as its resilience in navigating dynamic challenges. I aspire to grow as a deck officer, contributing to safe and efficient

voyages across the world,” said Mr. Mohamad Ilham Bin Mohamad Ibrahim, a recipient of the Teekay – MaritimeONE Scholarship 2025. Mr. Mohamad Ilham is pursuing a Diploma in Nautical Studies at the Singapore Maritime Academy, Singapore Polytechnic.