Building Singapore’s Maritime Manpower Pipeline - SeaVoices - Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) Publication

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25 Nov 2024

6 mins

Building Singapore’s Maritime Manpower Pipeline

An interview with Captain Chatur Wahyu, Director, Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA)

Singapore’s success as a maritime hub relies on a well-prepared, skilled workforce but building a robust manpower pipeline is no small feat.

Local youths are not naturally gravitating toward the industry for a variety of reasons. Industry leaders and government bodies alike are pulling out all the stops to inspire them to say, “Yes, count me in!”

Captain Chatur Wahyu, Director of Singapore Maritime Academy, has been at the forefront of these efforts. “It is even tougher after COVID-19,” he reflects. “The situation for seafarers was highlighted during the pandemic as they found themselves stranded at sea, restricted from disembarking, and dealing with long periods away from family. This paints a picture of a profession marked by uncertainty, sacrifice, and long stints away from loved ones.”

The numbers tell their own story. “In the Philippines, about 13,000 sign up to become seafarers every year. In India? That’s around 22,000. But here in Singapore, we’re fortunate to see 100. Yes, just 100,” he says, pausing to let the reality of that figure sink in.

Facilitating entry and retention

The number drops further as stringent entry requirements filter out some candidates. SMA’s Diploma in Nautical Studies, for example, have a 25% rejection rate due to visual acuity requirements, even among applicants who meet all other criteria. However, this is set to change. Starting from April 2025, these candidates will be admitted with the expectation that they undergo vision correction surgery, a requirement for attaining COC Class 3.

One notable initiative to boost retention is the Sail Milestone Achievement Programme (SailMAP), which encourages seafarers to stay the course. This joint effort by the Maritime Port Authority (MPA), e2i, the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) provides local seafarers with incentives as they achieve key milestones in their careers; by the time they attain COC1, they would have received S$50,000 in total.

Creating more career pathways

Captain Chatur acknowledges a common misconception that there is nowhere to go after seafaring. “People assume seafaring locks you into a single path, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he explains. “I sailed for 13 years before transitioning into maritime education. I was a lecturer at SMA; in the course of teaching, I also got very involved in planning the academic affairs and faculty development.” Today, he is Director of SMA.

For those ready to transition from sea to shore, there are various career paths in the maritime industry. “Seafarers with solid experience are highly sought after for roles in management, supervision, and education,” Captain Chatur notes. To prepare them, SMA offers part-time courses, such as Specialist Diploma in Maritime Superintendency for those moving into supervisory technical roles, and Specialist Diploma in Port Operations and Management for those interested in port careers – a timely offering as Singapore expands its infrastructure with the opening of Tuas Port.

Another programme, Diploma (Conversion) in Maritime Business Management, equips students with the theoretical and practical knowledge to manage shipping, logistics, and offshore operations. For individuals interested in joining the industry but lacking the usual qualifications, Diploma in Maritime and Offshore Management (conferred by MPA) provides foundational training in shipping operations, offshore and logistics management. This course enables them to enter the sector as senior executives or junior managers.

Bridging academia and profession

The SMA has established agreements with several universities to help its diploma holders advance their education. Here’s how it works: SMA diploma holders who graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or above can receive up to two years of exemptions in UK and Australian universities, allowing them to complete a Bachelor’s degree in just one year.

While policies vary between institutions, there is a growing recognition of professional seafaring qualifications across academia. These credentials can significantly strengthen applications for higher education. Captain Chatur himself, a COC1 holder, was accepted directly into the University of Southampton to pursue a Master’s degree in Maritime Law, which he completed in 2006.

“There’s a real advantage to staying the course and achieving a COC1,” he notes. “This qualification can open doors to further studies and expand your career horizons in ways you might not expect.”

Making choices available

Recognising the vital role of seafarers as the driving force behind Singapore’s success as a maritime hub, the government is committed to attracting more of them into the profession. “This is not without its challenges. We have discussed earlier. For an endeavour of such scale, SMA cannot go it alone,” Captain Chatur notes, adding: “The Wavelink Maritime Institute is instrumental in this mission. While our institutions target different groups of students, we share the same goal – to expand Singapore’s maritime manpower pipeline.” From the point of view of individuals and jobseekers, Wavelink opens an alternative pathway to enter the world of seafaring.

To those who see the future of seafarers as one tied to cargo ships, Captain Chatur offers a glimpse into what’s trending. “Seafarers are the backbone of the maritime industry, but they are also essential to the hospitality sector. You may ask how and where’s the link. Well, we’re seeing more cruise liners calling at Singapore ports. There’s Genting and Caribbean. Disney too is coming to Singapore – we are in talks to train up their crew as part of the preparations for a voyage in December 2025.”

The battle for hearts and minds

Outreach efforts with a clear sense of purpose go a long way. “We want young people to see what a dynamic, rewarding field the maritime industry can be,” he says. “We’re working hard to raise awareness, starting with school talks. These aren’t just about explaining our courses; it’s about showing students what’s possible in the maritime world. We want them to understand that this isn’t just a job – it’s a career that can take them across the globe.”

There is also the learning journeys. “It’s one thing to talk about maritime training, but when you see the simulators and equipment in action, it really brings the field to life,” Captain Chatur adds.

Uni of Plymouth Graduation Ceremony 2023

Press on and go forth

The father of three children believes in the prospects seafaring has to offer. He will give his stamp of approval to any or all of his kids if they are serious about embarking on it.

Captain Chatur’s advice to aspiring seafarers: “Stay the course, persevere. As you progress, from COC3 to 1, your career options expand, so does your earning potential. You’ll have the chance to work with advanced vessel operations, take on more responsibilities, and even consider roles onshore if you choose.”

Looking back on his 24 years with SMA, Captain Chatur finds meaning in his work. It is about opening doors to a world where young people can grow, see the world, and find a career that’s anything but ordinary. The work continues.