The annual Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) was officially launched today by Mr Murali Pillai, Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport. Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, SMW 2025 returns for its 19th edition as a SG60 Signature Event celebrating the pivotal role of maritime in Singapore’s nation-building journey.
Taking place from 24 to 28 March 2025 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, SMW 2025 is expected to welcome more than 20,000 attendees from close to 80 countries, including government officials, port authorities, industry leaders, and maritime professionals. The expanded EXPO@SMW will feature close to 200 local and international exhibitors, including nine country pavilions, reflecting the growing global interest in Singapore as a leading maritime hub.
A key highlight at the opening of SMW 2025 was the delivery of the Singapore Maritime Lecture by Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister of Singapore and his fireside chat moderated by Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at-Large, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Topics discussed included how current geopolitical trends will shape international trade and the maritime industry, Singapore’s vision and strategies for growing our hub port, and how Singapore can support and encourage green transition for the industry.
Launch of Singapore’s First Maritime Digital Twin
At the opening ceremony of SMW 2025, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with Minister of State Murali and various VIPs, also launched Singapore’s first Maritime Digital Twin, an advanced simulation model developed by MPA in partnership with the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) that integrates real-time data to enhance decision-making and improve management of maritime operations in Singapore waters.
The digital twin integrates real-time data from vessels, port operations and environmental sensors and uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, to optimise port operations, improve energy efficiency, and reduce emissions. It also enhances safety management and emergency response by supporting risk assessments for incidents such as oil spills and accidental release of gases into the atmosphere.
The digital twin will serve as a “sandbox” where companies and researchers can collaborate with MPA to develop and test new operating concepts and digital solutions before deploying them. Pilot testing using the digital twin will commence in the second half of 2025.
Industry use-cases demonstrating the potential capabilities of the digital twin, including real-time vessel monitoring and underwater visualisation of hull inspection and cleaning, will be showcased at EXPO@SMW during the Singapore Maritime Week from 25 to 27 March 2025.
High-Level Engagements and Thought Leadership Discussions
Themed ‘Actions Meet Ambition’, SMW 2025 continues its focus on decarbonisation, digitalisation, maritime services, and talent development. Key engagements include the presentations delivered by heads of international organisations under the “Perspectives from International Organisations” segment, the high-level Dialogue on “Navigating Global Maritime Trends in 2025 and Beyond”, and the Industry Dialogue on the “Market Outlook for Shipping in 2025 and Beyond”. Notable attendees include Kaupo Läänerand, Deputy Minister for Maritime and Water Affairs, Ministry of Climate (Estonia), Philippe Tabarot, Minister in charge of Transport, Ministry of Spatial Planning and Decentralisation (France), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (India), Brigit Gijsbers, Vice Minister, Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management (The Netherlands), Even Tronstad Sagebakken, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (Norway), Hugo Espírito Santo, Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing (Portugal), Francis Zachariae, Secretary-General, International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), Dr Cho Sung Hwan, President, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and Heads of shipping companies.
The Accelerating Digitalisation and Decarbonisation Conference, taking place from 25 to 27 March 2025, will address key developments such as artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, decarbonisation initiatives, and regulatory changes in the maritime industry. The Maritime Manpower Forum on 28 March 2025 will focus on workforce transformation and upskilling. The inaugural Singapore Maritime Research Conference from 26 to 27 March 2025 will feature academic, industry experts, and researchers discussing the future of maritime innovation.
SMW 2025 will also see eight internationally recognised Classification Societies in Singapore renew the Letter of Intent signed with MPA in 2023 to deepen collaboration in emerging areas like wind technology and autonomous vessels. In addition, more than ten
partnership agreements between MPA and various stakeholders will also be signed over SMW 2025.
Expanded EXPO@SMW
EXPO@SMW2, which was first launched in 2024, will return from 25 to 27 March 2025. Spanning four halls at Suntec Singapore, the expanded exhibition will feature four thematic zones focusing on maritime innovation and technology, maritime decarbonisation, maritime services and talent, and a country zone3. Maritime-centric projects from participating schools will also be on display.
A key highlight at EXPO@SMW is the Maritime SG Showcase, which will showcase Singapore’s maritime heritage and technological advancements, and MarineTech startups, including new capabilities across subsea, surface, air, cyber, sustainability, and space domains. Visitors can also experience first-hand emerging maritime technologies, such as Digital Twins and aerial drones.
New Talent@SMW: Connecting Talent with Maritime Careers
A new addition for SMW 2025, the Talent@SMW programme will take place on 27 March 2025 at the Talent Pavillion to connect students, early-career professionals, and mid-careerists with career and skills development opportunities in the maritime sector. Visitors can attend recruitment talks, visit the career booths, and participate in curated tours of the pavilion led by MPA Maritime Youth Ambassadors. Participants at Talent@SMW include Institutes of Higher Learning such as Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore Polytechnic, industry partners, Singapore Maritime Foundation, and Workforce Singapore.
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