Business

MPA and WSG offers career conversion programme for maritime workers

CCP will enable individuals to prepare for job roles such as port operations manager, shipping analyst, assistant technical superintendent, and ship agent.

Published

5 years ago

November 16, 2021

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) on Saturday (13 November) rolled out an enhanced Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Sea Transport Professionals and Associates.

Benefitting up to 300 individuals over two years, the enhancements include a new Job Redesign and Reskilling (JRR) pathway, specialist “Maritime Superintendency Track” and the expansion of the programme to cater for associates. It aims to plug existing skills gaps, as the transformation of the sector has increased demand for cross-disciplinary skills in areas such as data analytics, automation and robotics.

The enhancement is built on its predecessor programme for Sea Transport Professionals and for Port Professionals, which had benefited over 160 individuals over the past three years.

Launched at the Maritime Digital Challenge Grand Finals by Senior Minister of State for Transport Mr Chee Hong Tat, the programme will enable individuals to better prepare themselves for job roles such as port operations manager, shipping analyst, assistant technical superintendent, and ship agent.

There will be three pathways for the programme: Place and Train, Redeployment and the new Job Redesign and Reskilling. It will equip mid-career switchers and existing maritime employees taking on new or expanded roles with competencies in areas such as automation, data analytics, decarbonisation and cybersecurity.

New specialist track for individuals to take on Maritime Superintendent roles

The role of the Assistant Marine Superintendent is to oversee ship compliance to regulatory requirements and legislation, ensure voyage safety and optimisation and improvements to enhance efficiency.

He or she is also in charge of ground-level crew management matters, such as overseeing wages and invoices, as well as crew changes. Assistant technical superintendents oversee the management of ships to ensure seaworthiness, as well as the ship’s budget and expenditure, and resource planning.

To build up a local talent pipeline of maritime superintendents, WSG and MPA will pilot 20 placements for a new specialist “Maritime Superintendency Track” under the enhanced CCP. Individuals on this track will be awarded a Specialist Diploma in Maritime Superintendency by Singapore Polytechnic after the completion of six pre-approved modules and On-the-Job Training (OJT).

They can then embark on meaningful careers in roles such as an assistant marine superintendent or an assistant technical superintendent, before progressing onward to becoming a superintendent or another adjacent role.

Strong hiring sentiments in maritime companies

In spite of the pandemic, the hiring outlook for the maritime sector remains positive. Data from MyCareersFuture shows that there has been an increase in the number of job postings from over 1,300 job postings in January 2021 to about 1,770 in September 2021 for maritime companies, doubling that when compared to the same period in September 2020. Individuals who are keen to explore a career in the sector can go to WSG’s MyCareersFuture portal for job openings.

WSG’s Chief Executive Mr Tan Choon Shian said, “As the maritime industry undergoes a big transformation at a global level, maritime companies see an accelerated need to streamline business operations and adopt digitalisation to stay resilient and competitive.”

“With a need to attract new talent with the right competencies and support existing workers in their reskilling efforts to meet the evolving demands, the enhanced CCP therefore comes at a critical time to support companies in their bid to build a strong Singaporean core, equipped to take on jobs that leverage digitalisation and automation. We are happy to partner MPA and SP to create quality jobs for Singaporeans in this sector.”

MPA’s Chief Executive Ms Quah Ley Hoon said, “For Singapore to maintain its position as a leading global hub port and international maritime centre, we need to build a pipeline of future-ready talent. This must also be done in tandem with evolving needs of the maritime industry as it transforms into a more digitalised and greener one.”

“The enhanced CCP will facilitate the entry of individuals drawn to the opportunities that the sector is offering. It will also help our existing workforce upskill and reskill to remain relevant in today’s changing environment. MPA is pleased to partner with WSG and Singapore Polytechnic on this important endeavour.”

Editor’s note: The full career progression roadmap for Skills Framework for Sea Transport can be viewed here

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore / Workforce Singapore
Published: 16 November, 2021

Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

Published

12 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July).

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions.

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Published

13 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Published

13 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026