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From postgraduate programmes to hands-on cybersecurity training, the aim of the initiatives is to build future-proof skills and widen access to maritime careers.
Singapore's maritime industry will see more efforts introduced to strengthen the country's maritime workforce, through a series of new initiatives aimed at building deeper technical capabilities while opening more pathways into the sector.
Announced on day four (Thursday, 23 April) of Singapore Maritime Week 2026, a key focus will be widening access to shore-based maritime careers, particularly for engineering graduates and mid-career professionals.
To this end, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's (MPA) Joint Office for Talent and Skills, in partnership with the Singapore Maritime Foundation, has teamed up with Det Norske Veritas and the Singapore Institute of Technology to develop a master’s-level vessel management programme.
Designed as an alternative to traditional seafaring routes, the programme combines structured, competency-based training with shipboard experience. It targets engineering and naval architecture graduates, as well as seafarers looking to transition into roles such as marine and technical superintendents.
At the same time, SMU Academy – the professional training arm of Singapore Management University – will launch an Industry Graduate Diploma in Maritime in August 2026, as part of its Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy.
Co-developed with industry and supported by MPA, the modular programme is aimed at mid-career professionals seeking to move into shore-based commercial roles. Participants can pursue stackable certificates or complete the full diploma, covering areas such as maritime business, operations, finance, sustainability, and risk management.
Building capabilities for a digital, low-carbon future
As ships become more technologically advanced and new fuels enter the mix, MAP acknowledged that the demand for specialised engineering expertise is rising.
In response, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) has launched a Maritime Engineering Doctoral Training Centre to strengthen applied research capabilities. The centre will offer industrial doctorate and master’s programmes, allowing students to work on real-world industry projects in areas such as marine electrification and battery safety.
Cybersecurity is another growing priority. With shipboard systems increasingly interconnected with shore-based infrastructure, the risks to operations are expanding – and so is the need for hybrid talent that understands both IT and maritime systems.
To address this, MPA is partnering the Singapore Shipping Association, SIT, and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to launch a Cybersecurity for Maritime Operational Technology programme in August 2026.
The two-month course is designed for IT professionals within shipping companies, focusing on how shipboard systems – from navigation to propulsion – interact with shore-based operations. Participants will also undergo hands-on training using the MariOT simulator at SUTD’s iTrust Centre, managing cyber incidents in a controlled environment.
Strengthening the maritime talent pipeline
Apart the above, MPA also shared about initiatives that are in place, and that will be introduced, to build the next generation of maritime talent
The MaritimeONE scholarship programme awarded 60 scholarships worth S$1.48mn in 2025, backed by 39 sponsoring organisations. Beyond funding, the initiative also placed 169 students into internships across 81 companies, spanning commercial, technical, and corporate roles.
Meanwhile, the MPA Global Internship Award is expanding international exposure, with 42 participants taking up overseas placements in 2025.
MPA said it is also scaling outreach to younger audiences, working with schools and youth groups to build early awareness of maritime careers – a move aimed at strengthening the pipeline from the ground up.
One example, it shared, would be the renewed MPA-Shanghai Maritime University partnership to deepen cooperation in maritime talent development and knowledge exchange.
Officiated in 2020, this partnership supports exchanges of students and maritime professionals and facilitates participation in high-level seminars and knowledge sharing platforms. These efforts aim to provide valuable opportunities for participants to gain insights into development in maritime safety, digitalisation and decarbonisation in both countries.
With the renewal, both parties will continue to facilitate information sharing and exchanges between academia and maritime professionals. This includes study visits, learning journeys, and joint training programmes across areas such as maritime safety and security, maritime energy, port management, navigational technologies, and marine environmental management.
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