MaritimeONE Case Summit launched by Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF)

Now in its 6th edition, the MaritimeONE Case Summit was launched last week by the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) in partnership with sponsors ARROW Asia, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), NorthStandard and Ocean Network Express (ONE).

Through this annual case competition, students from Singapore’s universities and polytechnics will tap into the pulse of the maritime industry – a vital economic sector driving global trade and commerce – by tackling current real-world challenges at the intersection of maritime, business, technology and sustainability.

Students are invited to form teams of two to four, select one of four challenge statements to work on, and register by the application deadline. Participating teams will then need to submit a Proof-of-Concept and following a round of evaluation, sponsors will mentor the finalist teams through to the Grand Finals on 14 November 2025.

In tandem with the industry’s digital and green transformation, the four challenge statements offered by the sponsors range from strategies to build a future-ready maritime workforce to developing tech-driven solutions in market intelligence and proposing Maritime Digital Twin applications.

The four challenges are:

ARROW Asia - To analyse how Panamax dry bulk shipbroking has evolved between 2015–2025 and identify future challenges and opportunities. Propose technology and AI-driven strategies in market intelligence or risk management to help shipbrokers stay relevant amid shifting commodities, climate change, regulatory complexity, and digital transformation.

MPA - To develop innovative, tech-driven solutions using the Maritime Digital Twin, a real-time virtual model of the port, to optimise vessel traffic, reduce congestion, enhance stakeholder coordination, and support safe and sustainable operations. The proposed solutions should be practical, scalable, and user-focused, aiming to improve decision-making, resource use and overall port performance.

NorthStandard - To assume the role of marine risk consultants advising a P&I Club on underwriting nuclear-powered vessels. The proposal should include: a summary of current public perceptions and strategies to reshape them; a stakeholder risk map outlining liabilities; a comparison of traditional and nuclear-related P&I claims; a risk matrix against other alternative fuels; and a clear recommendation on insuring nuclear-powered ships.

ONE - To propose bold, practical strategies to attract, develop, and retain next-generation talent – fostering adaptable mindsets, future-ready skills, and meaningful career experiences to position ONE Global HR as a driver of business transformation. These strategies should aim to build a future-ready workforce with the right mindsets, skillsets, and experiences to thrive in an evolving maritime landscape.

“The MaritimeONE Case Summit is a key platform for Singapore’s tertiary youths to apply critical thinking, creativity, and cross-disciplinary insights to address the complex challenges facing our industry today across digitalisation, decarbonisation and manpower and talent. I thank our sponsors — ARROW, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, NorthStandard, and Ocean Network Express — for their unwavering support in nurturing the next generation of maritime talent through meaningful, real-world problem statements,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, SMF.

“The future of shipbroking is continuously developing, with the next generation facing a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by digital platforms and AI,” said Mr. Philipp Schulte-Westhof, Managing Director, ARROW Asia. “We at ARROW, recognise the importance of nurturing young talent and we are looking forward to working with each of the teams to help harness the next generation of shipping experts.”

“The maritime sector is entering an exciting phase of digital transformation,” said Mr. Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the MPA. “Data and simulation technologies are changing how ports operate by enhancing situational awareness and enabling faster, more informed decisions. I look forward to the innovative solutions that our students develop using the Maritime Digital Twin to deliver practical, scalable ideas to make port operations safer and more efficient.”

“At NorthStandard, we are committed to supporting innovation that enables our members to trade safely and sustainably in an evolving maritime landscape,” said Mr. David Roberts, Head of AsiaPac, NorthStandard. “As a global P&I Club, we see it as our responsibility to lead conversations around emerging risks and to help shape the frameworks that will underpin tomorrow’s maritime industry. The MaritimeONE Case Summit is a fantastic platform from which to engage the next generation of talent in tackling complex issues—like how nuclear technology could transform shipping. We look forward to the fresh thinking and thoughtful perspectives they will bring.”

“At Ocean Network Express, we connect global trade through container shipping, linking businesses across continents,” said Mr. Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE. “With over 90% of global trade moving by sea, our industry faces a critical talent shortage that threatens its future. Initiatives such as this Summit, organised by the Singapore Maritime Foundation, addresses this challenge directly. This event brings together bright minds to tackle real operational challenges while inspiring the next generation of maritime professionals. By investing in young talent today, we are securing both our industry's future and the efficient flow of global trade,"