Dream Big, Sail Green: Youths Experience the Future of Shipping - SeaVoices - Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) Publication

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15 Oct 2025

3 mins

Dream Big, Sail Green: Youths Experience the Future of Shipping

What happens when you mix curious young minds, inspiring seafarers, and the future of green shipping? You get the Maritime Discovery and Decarbonisation Day, where 18 enthusiastic youths from Children’s Wishing Well (CWW) set sail on an unforgettable learning journey at Wavelink Maritime Institute (WMI).

Organised by Peninsula360, with the support of SMOU and WMI, the day was not just about exploring ships and simulators. It was about opening doors to maritime careers and showing how the industry is charting its course toward a more sustainable future.

Setting Sail with Inspiration

The event kicked off with a heartfelt welcome from Ms Mary Liew, SMOU General Secretary, who encouraged the youths to dream big and imagine themselves as the next wave of maritime leaders.

Her words created an atmosphere of curiosity and excitement as the youths buzzed in eager anticipation of what was next.

Real Stories from the High Seas

The youths were then given a glimpse into the lives of two young seafarers, Siti Nellisa, Marine Engineer and Vice President of SMOU, and Ahmad Sufyan, Deck Officer. Both shared raw and real stories of life at sea, from the thrill of traveling the world to the not-so-glamorous reality of missing home, friends, and even internet access.

The youths were especially curious during the Q&A segment, asking about the challenges of being a seafarer. Sufyan was honest about the challenges of seafaring: “Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the language barrier; it’s learning to connect across different cultures.”

Nellisa added that growing up in Singapore’s multicultural society made her appreciate how important open-mindedness is at sea and that effective communication is key to building trust and teamwork on board.

Learning in Action

Next, it was time for the youths to roll up their sleeves and dive into two activities.

In the EcoShip Fuel Challenge, a board game developed by Peninsula360 that showed just how tricky it is to balance cost, safety, and sustainability, the youths quickly realised that choosing “cheap fuel” might save money short-term but could damage both the planet and their reputation. Tough calls, but eye-opening ones!

Over at the simulator, the youths experienced piloting a vessel through a thunderstorm. The simulator, which mimics real bridge operations, thrilled the youths with the chance to navigate a “ship.” Deck Officers James Lee and Siti Nasuha also went around guiding the youths and giving them tips.

Even lunchtime turned into a learning session, with SMOU representatives sharing stories, advice, and encouragement with the youths. Dreams, goals, and personal passions filled the room.

A Memorable Voyage of Discovery

The day ended on a high note with a lively quiz competition. With laughter, cheers, and prizes up for grabs, the quiz tested what the youths had learned while keeping the energy buzzing until the very end.

By the time they headed home, the CWW youths had discovered more than just the maritime world. They left inspired by the idea that they too could be part of building a greener, more sustainable future at sea.

For many, the day was not just about ships, storms, or simulators. It was about finding the courage to dream big and the belief that their journey could begin right here.