Speech by MOS Alvin Tan at the launch of Southeast Asia’s first Hybrid Crew Transfer Vessel

Mr Simon Kuik, President, Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI),

Distinguished guests, 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Introduction

1. Thank you for inviting me to the launch of Southeast Asia’s first Hybrid Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV). 

2. There are three things I thought of sharing with all who are here today:

a. The first is that Singapore companies like Strategic Marine are innovative.

b. The second point is that the innovation is driven not just by Strategic Marine, but the whole of Team Singapore. It is not just the SMEs here today that form the truly Made-in-Singapore product which is the CTV, but we also have the unions, TACs (Trade Associations and Chambers) like ASMI and the Government backing you, and Team Singapore backing innovative companies like Strategic Marine.

c. The third point is that it is not just a company building a vessel. If you take a step back – the big picture – this is a step into a decarbonised world. For the green economy/sustainability and low carbon future, there are two wins – the green win and the digital win.
i. The green win today is very much the opening of the facility and the handover of the HST Swansea. 
ii.The digital win; we are using  augmented reality, for example, to train welders, and also to use digital tools to create turbines and propellers. 

3. So congrats Strategic Marine on the official opening of your new shipyard. 

Launch of Southeast Asia First Hybrid Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV)

4. Our M&OE (Marine and Offshore Engineering) sector has come a long way. Covid has been three years. We have seen orders are now returning.

5. The launch of Southeast Asia’s first Hybrid Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), the HST Swansea, led by Strategic Marine, really just showcases what we have done thus far. It is an example of the new products in demand, with increased investments in offshore wind energy. This project showcases the types of tech and innovation our M&OE sector needs to stay competitive amidst the global energy transition. 

6. HST Swansea is truly “Made in Singapore”. 

a. The CTV’s proprietary control system was designed and developed in-house by Sea Forrest Power Solutions, a local SME which began their journey towards decarbonisation in 2019.

b. I also want to acknowledge the following SMEs, who provided various components and services, ranging from aluminium welding to interior outfitting, for the HST Swansea:

i.   Yan San Metal;
ii.  Boo & Boo Marine; 
iii. ICF International;
iv. Mencast Holdings;
v.  BH Global; and  
vi. Uniweld Products

c. Strategic Marine also demonstrated how they used tech to drive productivity and sustainability in their operations. They used Augmented Reality (AR) systems provided by Uniweld Products to train their welders more quickly, efficiently, and at a fraction of the carbon footprint compared to traditional methods. 

d. Congrats to all companies involved in the successful completion of the hybrid CTV. It is encouraging to see SMEs innovate aspects of their operations, and we trust and hope more will follow suit. 

e. I also want to recognise ASMI and Simon for bringing our local companies together to develop innovative products to be marketed to the world. It shows the impact that TACs like ASMI can have to facilitate business partnerships and promote Singapore enterprises internationally.

Launch of the Marine & Offshore Transformation Initiative (MOTI)

7. Now I shift gears a little to the Marine & Offshore Transformation Initiative (MOTI). As our sector transforms itself to seize new opportunities in a green and digital economy, we must develop our local workforce to equip them with relevant skills. I want to encourage our SMEs here to look into our ITEs, develop their capabilities and allow them to join the sector. I’m pleased to announce that ASMI, Workforce Singapore (WSG), NTUC and e2i have come together to establish the MOTI. The initiative will groom a Marine Decarbonisation Champion and Marine Digitalisation Champion (collectively known as MDC) in every M&OE company over time.

8. I have previously spoken about the Marine Digitalisation Champion initiative; MOTI will be building on this by also introducing the Marine Decarbonisation Champions. These individuals will lead and drive their company’s adoption of digital solutions and develop relevant manpower reskilling strategies to help you transform your business. We will announce more information on the Marine Digitalisation Champion later this year. 

9. Glad to know that Strategic Marine, our host for today and project lead for the HST Swansea, is one of the first companies to come onboard the MOTI pilot. 

a. Mr Ryan Seah, Strategic Marine’s General Manager for Corporate Finance & Special Projects, will take on the role of the company’s first Marine Decarbonisation Champion and lead Strategic Marine’s decarbonisation and sustainability projects.
 
b. As the Marine Decarbonisation Champion, Mr Seah hopes to make a difference in combating climate change, through advocating for and leading sustainable initiatives, such as using renewable energy, developing new tech, and adopting sustainable practices. 

10. Mr Seah and other MDCs will undergo reskilling to drive their company’s transformation through WSG’s Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs) for the M&OE sector. Their companies, including Strategic Marine, could also receive tailored funding to support decarbonisation and digitalisation projects, that will help them to redesign their jobs, as part of their efforts to transform their business. 

11. Besides MOTI, we will continue to strengthen our local manpower pipeline for the sector. For example, EDB and EnterpriseSG will be working with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to help workers upskill in areas such as digitalisation, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. We will also develop new SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes (SCTPs) to help mid-careerists re-skill and join our M&OE sector.

Tripartism

12. MOTI is yet another product of our unique tripartism model. This is unique to Singapore - there are not many places around the world where you will find industries and unions working so closely to help companies and workers prepare for structural shifts in our local and global landscape.

13. I am glad that ASMI and the Shipbuilding & Marine Engineer Employees’ Union (SMEEU) will be establishing a stronger alliance, through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that they will sign later. This alliance will see both parties come together to encourage more companies to use NTUC’s Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant to transform their businesses and workforce.  

Conclusion

14. I started off saying three things to build our M&OE sector. First, the recognition that Singapore companies, like Strategic Marine, are innovative. Second, that Team Singapore is behind you – TACs, the Government, the unions as well as all the different partners – and you are not alone. Third, thank you for doing your part as we transition to a low-carbon and greener future.

15. Thank you.