The story of Maritime Singapore and the importance of maritime can all be found under one roof—the Singapore Maritime Gallery (SMG) at Marina South Pier. It was here, through the Young Mariners’ Networking (YMN), that some 90 youths got an insight into how Singapore transformed from a small trading post into a premier Global Hub Port and the world’s leading International Maritime Centre.

Organised by Young SMOU (YSMOU) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the YMN session brought together cadets and students from Wavelink Maritime Institute (WMI), Singapore Maritime Academy, and Institute of Technical Education for a day of learning and networking.

The youth had a fully immersive experience inside a ship bridge simulator, navigating different vessels through varying weather conditions. Others leveraged a virtual reality (VR) interactive tool to do “ship spotting.” In their journey through the gallery, they discovered Singapore’s maritime beginnings, transformation, and developments.

A sea tour gave participants a view of the wide variety of offshore vessels and how routes are coordinated in the Singapore Strait. Participants also saw different port terminals and their operations and learned about aids to navigation.

Sharing sessions by YSMOU, WMI, and MPA officials opened the eyes of the youth about seafarers’ rights, the work of the union, and career opportunities in the maritime sector. YMN concluded with a networking dinner and the forging of ties among the youth and maritime community.