Participants can gain hands-on exposure to the maritime industry’s most pressing challenges across decarbonisation, energy resilience and operational optimisation; receive mentorship from industry practitioners; and stand to win cash prizes

Now in its 7th edition, the 2026 MaritimeONE Case Summit was launched  by the Singapore Maritime Foundation  in partnership with industry sponsors AET, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Petredec Global and Pacific International Lines.

Through this annual case competition, students from Singapore’s universities and polytechnics will apply their knowledge to respond to some of the maritime industry’s most pressing challenges, hone teamwork and cross-disciplinary skills, and build professional networks.

Students are invited to form teams of two to four, select one of four challenge statements to work on, and register by the application deadline. Participating teams will then submit a Proof-of-Concept for evaluation. Following the assessment round, shortlisted finalist teams will be mentored to refine their solutions in preparation for the Closed-Door Judging. Winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony on 23 October 2026.

This year’s challenge statements reflect the issues shaping maritime today: optimising maritime logistics operations, building frameworks to measure and reduce carbon emissions, and strengthening energy supply chains amid geopolitical uncertainty.

They are:

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“The four challenge statements this year reflect key issues that the maritime industry is navigating today. These span environment, social and governance (ESG), energy security, and technology to augment decision-making. I thank AET, MSC, Petredec Global and PIL for putting forward challenges that give students hands-on opportunities to address practical industry issues with rigour and imagination. Such exposures will equip the students better when they join the maritime industry,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, Singapore Maritime Foundation.

“At AET, we believe the future of maritime lies in the people we invest in today. Supporting the MaritimeONE Case Summit 2026 is a natural extension of our partnership with SMF, enabling students to tackle real-world industry challenges. The Summit provides a powerful platform for critical problem solving and creative thinking. AET is proud to be a committed partner in nurturing the next generation and strengthening a resilient, future- ready maritime industry,” said Mr. Nick Potter, President & CEO, AET.

“At MSC, we believe that the decisions we make today — about people and about the planet — will shape the world our children inherit. We are looking for bold, evidence- driven thinkers who are not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and propose solutions that are both visionary and grounded in reality. If you are passionate about or committed to driving measurable climate action, this challenge is your platform,” said Ms. Grace Chia, Managing Director, MSC Asia Regional Office.

“Through the Singapore Maritime Foundation’s MaritimeONE Case Summit 2026, we once again look forward to seizing the opportunity to engage with the brightest young minds in the maritime sector to help address the evolving challenges facing global shipping and commodities markets.

Approximately 1 gigaton of CO2e is emitted annually from the use of wood fuels for cooking. LPG continues to stand out as a lower-carbon, low-polluting energy source that significantly improves air quality and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Petredec, as a leading LPG value chain organisation, is committed to expanding access to this obvious solution.

However, ongoing challenges affecting trade routes, S&D balances, and the economics of seagoing trade have changed many things significantly and for the foreseeable future. How will this affect the industry’s ability to continue scaling this crucial transition source of clean energy? This is what we look forward to working on with these talented individuals,” said Mr. Jonathan Fancher, Chief Commercial Officer, Petredec Global.

“Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to participate in the SMF MaritimeONE Case Summit as part of our continued support for developing future maritime talent. Initiatives like this provide a valuable opportunity for students to engage with real industry challenges and gain a better understanding of the operational realities of shipping.

At PIL, we see increasing complexity in areas such as fuel optimisation and operational planning, where more structured and data-driven approaches are becoming essential to improve efficiency and decision-making. Through this challenge, we hope to give participants meaningful exposure to these considerations while encouraging them to think practically about solutions.

We appreciate the opportunity to contribute through sponsorship of MCS 2026 and look forward to the perspectives and ideas that will emerge from this collaboration,” said Mr. Lionel Patrice Chatelet, Chief Commercial Officer, Pacific International Lines.