The highly anticipated 19th Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) officially launched on 24th March with an exceptional turnout, marking a milestone in the event’s history. Held from 24 to 28 March 2025 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, this year’s edition is expected to attract over 20,000 attendees from around the globe, including key government officials, port authorities, maritime professionals, and industry leaders from nearly 80 countries.
Organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), SMW 2025 is a SG60 Signature Event, celebrating the pivotal role maritime has played in Singapore’s nation-building journey. The launch of the event was marked by an address from Mr. Murali Pillai, Minister of State for the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport. During the ceremony, the Minister emphasized the importance of the maritime sector and its continued growth as a critical pillar of Singapore’s economy.
Table of Contents
Record-Setting Exhibition and Global Participation
One of the main attractions of SMW 2025 is the expanded EXPO@SMW, which spans four halls at Suntec Singapore. The exhibition is set to feature close to 200 exhibitors, including nine international country pavilions. It underscores Singapore’s reputation as a global maritime hub and reflects the increasing international interest in the country’s maritime ecosystem. The exhibition will provide industry leaders with a platform to showcase the latest innovations in maritime technology, decarbonisation, and digitalisation.
Notable highlights include an extensive display of emerging maritime technologies and solutions focused on green transition, sustainable practices, and maritime innovation. With over 200 exhibitors participating, the expo is expected to facilitate crucial discussions on the future of the maritime industry and the steps required to meet both regulatory challenges and global environmental goals.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Keynote and Maritime Vision
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the Singapore Maritime Lecture, delivered by Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister of Singapore. The lecture focused on current geopolitical trends, their potential impacts on international trade, and the evolving role of maritime operations in global commerce. Senior Minister Lee also discussed Singapore’s strategies for maintaining its position as a leading maritime hub, ensuring continued growth for the port and shipping industries, while focusing on the green transition for sustainable shipping.
A fireside chat moderated by Ambassador Chan Heng Chee further deepened the discussion on how Singapore’s maritime strategies will evolve in response to changing global dynamics. Topics included digital transformation, emission reduction, and leveraging new technologies to enhance Singapore’s competitive edge in the global shipping market.
Launch of Singapore’s First Maritime Digital Twin
Another major development unveiled during the event was the launch of Singapore’s first Maritime Digital Twin—a cutting-edge simulation model developed by MPA in collaboration with GovTech Singapore. This advanced technology integrates real-time data from vessels, port operations, and environmental sensors to enhance decision-making and improve the management of maritime operations in Singapore’s waters. The Maritime Digital Twin aims to optimize port operations, improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance safety management.
The digital twin will also serve as a collaborative “sandbox,” where businesses, researchers, and MPA can work together to develop and test new operating concepts and digital solutions before deploying them in real-world environments. Pilot testing will begin in the second half of 2025, with use-cases such as real-time vessel monitoring and underwater hull inspection to be showcased at EXPO@SMW.
Industry Discussions and High-Level Engagement
Under the theme of “Actions Meet Ambition,” SMW 2025 continues its focus on decarbonisation, digitalisation, and talent development. Key industry events and high-level dialogues will address the future of the maritime industry, with particular focus on digital technologies like AI and predictive analytics, alongside critical sustainability goals. Industry leaders from all corners of the globe will discuss the pathways towards reducing the maritime sector’s carbon footprint.
Notable discussions at the event include the “Navigating Global Maritime Trends in 2025 and Beyond” dialogue and the “Market Outlook for Shipping in 2025 and Beyond” forum, with key speakers from maritime organisations such as Kaupo Läänerand, Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs (Estonia), and Philippe Tabarot, Minister in Charge of Transport (France). These sessions will set the stage for how the global maritime community can address its shared challenges and work towards creating a more sustainable future.
Collaboration with Classification Societies and Emerging Maritime Technologies
SMW 2025 also witnessed renewed collaboration between the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and leading classification societies. The Letter of Intent, first signed in 2023, will be extended to deepen cooperation in emerging areas like wind propulsion technology, autonomous vessels, and decarbonisation technologies. The development of sustainable solutions and next-generation digital technologies will be central to the event, highlighting how collaboration across borders will be essential for meeting the maritime industry’s most pressing goals.
New Talent@SMW Program to Connect the Maritime Industry with Future Talent
A notable addition to SMW 2025 is the Talent@SMW program, designed to connect students, early-career professionals, and mid-career individuals with career development opportunities within the maritime sector. The event will feature career talks, recruitment activities, and tours of the Talent Pavilion, led by MPA Maritime Youth Ambassadors. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of maritime professionals and will feature participation from leading educational institutions and industry partners across Singapore.
Strengthening Cybersecurity Resilience with MariOT
As part of its efforts to enhance cybersecurity resilience, MPA also launched the Maritime Testbed of Operational Technology Systems (MariOT). This groundbreaking initiative is the world’s first industrial-grade cyber-physical platform designed to provide a safe environment for testing and training cybersecurity technologies tailored to the maritime industry. Developed in partnership with the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), MariOT will help assess and improve maritime cybersecurity, ensuring that the sector is equipped to tackle the growing threats of cyberattacks on operational technologies.
Public Engagement and Maritime SG Showcase
In addition to the professional and industry-centric segments, SMW 2025 offers an array of public engagement activities to allow the public to experience Singapore’s maritime heritage and future capabilities. The Maritime SG Showcase, which will feature emerging technologies like Digital Twins and drones, offers an interactive experience, while Maritime Discoveries tours of key maritime sites will help raise awareness of the significant role the maritime industry plays in the nation’s economy and global connectivity.
The public engagement activities, including heritage talks and storytelling sessions, will continue over the weekends of 21-23 March 2025 and 28-30 March 2025, further solidifying the connection between Singapore’s maritime industry and its communities.
Singapore Commitment – Singapore Maritime Week 2025
As Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2025 unfolds, it highlights the country’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration within the maritime sector. With its focus on decarbonisation, digitalisation, and cybersecurity, the event sets the stage for new developments that will drive the global maritime industry forward, ensuring that Singapore remains at the forefront of the global shipping landscape.
Source MPA Singapore