Chris in Singapore: Strengthening Global Connections
Our CEO Chris Goldsworthy has been on the road, connecting with the IMarEST community in Singapore and meeting the region’s key marine players. Now back in London he reflects on his trip.
Singapore’s status as a thriving maritime hub is undisputed. With over 4,400 ships on its registry, amounting to more than 100 million gross tons, the Singapore Registry of Ships stands among the world’s top five flag states. And on my recent visit, alongside IMarEST COO Sue Arnold, it was clear that Singapore is still at the forefront of marine innovation, maintaining its position as a crucial player.
One of the oldest and most established IMarEST branches is based in Singapore. It was a joy to meet the inspiring team of volunteers that lead the branch – their dedication to the profession and passion for the industry is unwavering. I was also able to present upcoming IMarEST initiatives to the branch, enabling me to gather in-person feedback from members, which was a very rewarding experience.
The ImarEST delegation had a very rewarding visit to the Singapore Branch (L-R Andrew Wong, Sue Arnold, Chris Goldsworthy, Sridev Mookerjea (Branch Chair), and Mike Watt (Branch Vice-Chair).
A highlight of the trip was the joint branch technical seminar. Led by Liam Blackmore, a decarbonisation lead in the Lloyd’s Register Technical Directorate, and Lars Hansen, an experienced mechanical engineer, the session offered valuable insight into the evolving landscape of ‘Ammonia, Engines and Fuels’. The strong attendance reinforced the relevance of the topic, as well as the shared commitment to continuous learning amongst the members of the Singapore Branch.
Another vital part of our time in Singapore was meeting with local marine organisations, which span a vast range of expertise. I was privileged to meet with government representatives, the Republic of Singapore Navy, ship owners, ship managers, and oceanography experts. The fascinating and varied conversations with everyone I met underscored the need for continuous collaboration and knowledge exchange, reinforcing the IMarEST’s role in supporting the Asian marine industry.
Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to thank Andrew Wong and Jie Kai Ong from our Singapore Office, who ensured we got the best out of our visit. Their work is invaluable in maintaining strong connections with our Asia-Pacific members, and ensuring we are up to date with regional developments. If you’re in the area, do get in touch with them to join your local branch or to become a member, or explore our corporate membership, Marine Partners.
Whilst reflecting on the journey back to the UK, I was once again struck by the importance of a truly global IMarEST presence. Marine challenges are not limited by geography, and we need to ensure we are promoting professional standards and technical excellence around the world if we are to meet them. Certainly, the passion for our sector that I encountered in Singapore, will go a long way to answering the big questions that we face.