Industry News

The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) has recently signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Jurong Port, Oza Family Foundation, Singapore Shipping Association, and Swire Shipping. These agreements aim to enhance access to scholarships, internships, and industry exposure for Singapore’s young talent, reinforcing SMF’s commitment to developing a future-ready workforce for Maritime Singapore.

Under the three-year MOU with Jurong Port, starting in 2025, four MaritimeONE scholarships and one internship will be awarded annually. This initiative provides tertiary students with structured programmes to deepen their industry knowledge and gain firsthand experience at one of the world’s leading multipurpose ports.

The Oza Family Foundation, led by Punit Oza, will contribute one MaritimeONE scholarship annually from 2025 to 2027. This partnership highlights the role of private philanthropy in nurturing talent and supporting students pursuing maritime studies and careers.

The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) will offer three to four MaritimeONE scholarships each year from 2025 to 2027. SMF will manage the scholarship administration, leveraging SSA’s industry network to reach more youths and showcase diverse opportunities in shipping.

Swire Shipping’s collaboration with SMF will provide one MaritimeONE Scholarship and two internships annually from 2025 to 2027, reflecting the company’s commitment to investing in Singapore’s maritime talent and equipping young people with global perspectives.

These MOUs are part of a broader strategy by SMF to build a sustained talent pipeline, lowering barriers of entry and broadening access to opportunities in the maritime sector. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman of SMF, expressed gratitude to the sponsors, stating, “Their commitment underscores the collective will of Maritime Singapore to invest in talent, enabling the industry to remain resilient and innovative as we navigate the future.”

SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH) has launched Dexie, a social humanoid robot, to support cognitive stimulation and meaningful engagement for patients with dementia. This initiative, marking World Alzheimer’s Month, makes SCH the first public healthcare institution in Singapore to integrate such technology into its inpatient dementia care programme. Developed with Dex-Lab and Goshen Consultancy Services, the programme began earlier this year and has demonstrated promising results in patient wellbeing and care efficiency.

Dexie, a multilingual robot, leads exercises, facilitates cognitive games, and conducts musical activities in English, Mandarin, Malay, and various Chinese dialects. Dr Bryan Han, Director of Dementia and Cognitive Care Service at SCH, highlighted the importance of consistent cognitive stimulation in maintaining neural connections and potentially slowing cognitive decline. “Dexie fills this gap by delivering evidence-based interventions,” he said.

The pilot programme showed a 32% increase in positive patient engagement and 46% of participants exhibited cognitive improvements. Additionally, operational efficiency improved, with two man-hours reallocated per session to higher-value tasks, and productivity increased by 25%.

Since the pilot, Dexie has engaged over 1,400 patients across SCH, with plans to expand further. As Singapore’s dementia prevalence is expected to nearly double by 2030, innovative solutions like Dexie offer sustainable therapeutic engagement, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on complex care needs. SCH is also developing a playbook to guide broader adoption of humanoid-enabled therapy in community hospitals.

Singapore’s trade outlook remains bleak as RHB Bank’s latest report highlights a persistent slowdown in non-oil domestic exports (NODX) for the rest of the year. The report, attributed to Barnabas Gan, Group Chief Economist and Head of Market Research at RHB Bank, notes that NODX slumped 11.3% year-on-year in August, following a revised 4.7% decline in July, falling short of market expectations for a 0.8% growth.

The report identifies several risks contributing to the declining momentum in NODX. These include uncertain global tariff developments, the diminishing impact of previously front-loaded trade, and Singapore’s structural reliance on semiconductor and pharmaceutical exports. These factors are expected to continue exerting pressure on the country’s export performance.

Gan emphasised the challenges ahead, stating, “We remain cautious on Singapore’s trade outlook, as the slowdown in NODX momentum is expected to persist through the remainder of the year.” The report suggests that the rapid fading of earlier trade boosts and ongoing global economic uncertainties could further exacerbate the situation.

As Singapore navigates these challenges, the report serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in its export-dependent economy. The continued weakness in NODX could have broader implications for the nation’s economic growth and trade strategies in the coming months.

StarCruises has announced the return of its cruise ship, Star Voyager, to Southeast Asia for the winter season, commencing on 20 November 2025. The ship will offer a variety of short-getaway options, perfectly timed for the festive season and school holidays in Singapore and Malaysia. Departures will be available from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur via Port Klang, providing passengers with flexible and convenient travel options.

The itineraries include 3-night weekend getaways to Penang and Kuala Lumpur, as well as 4-night sailings to Phuket, Penang, and Pulau Bintan. Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises, stated, “This deployment gives cruise passengers from Singapore and Malaysia more choices, flexibility and convenience, with 3 and 4 Night getaways from both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), sailing between the two cities and calling at the ever-popular destinations of Phuket, Penang and Pulau Bintan.”

Guests can embark at the Singapore Cruise Centre, conveniently located near VivoCity Mall and the HarbourFront MRT station, or from Kuala Lumpur via the Port Klang Cruise Terminal. The itineraries highlight Southeast Asia’s popular holiday destinations, including Penang’s UNESCO-listed George Town and Phuket’s beaches.

Additionally, Star Voyager will offer two special one-way repositioning cruises. The first, a 4-night journey from Hong Kong to Singapore, departs on 16 November 2025. The second, a 5-night voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong, departs on 8 February 2026, allowing guests to celebrate the Lunar New Year at sea.

Bookings for these cruises will open on 3 October 2025.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced the launch of a residential site at Bedok Rise for sale by tender under the Confirmed List of the government land sales (GLS) programme for the second half of 2025. This site, which can yield an estimated 380 new units, is strategically located near the Tanah Merah MRT station, enhancing its appeal to homebuyers and developers alike.

The Bedok Rise site offers convenient access to commercial amenities, including the nearby Seneca Square mall, and is just one MRT stop away from Bedok town centre. The area is also home to several educational institutions, such as Bedok Green Primary School and the Singapore University of Technology and Design, making it particularly attractive to families.

The future development’s appeal is further boosted by the planned conversion of the Tanah Merah MRT station into an interchange station, linking it to the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). This extension will connect the station to key locations such as Changi Airport and Changi Terminal 5, enhancing transport connectivity.

The last GLS site in the area, Tanah Merah Kechil Link, saw high demand with 15 bids and was awarded at $930 psf ppr in November 2020. The Sceneca Residence, located on this site, sold about 60% of its units upon launch in January 2023, with transactions averaging $2,100 psf.

Wong Siew Ying, Head of Research and Content at PropNex, projects that the Bedok Rise plot may attract five to seven bidders, with a top bid price estimated between $1,200 and $1,300 psf ppr. This anticipated interest underscores the site’s potential as a prime residential development opportunity.

iBoozee, an ASEAN award-winning innovator in food and beverage technology, has launched Asia’s first Smart Robotic Mixed Fruit Juice and Apple Machines in Singapore. This initiative marks a significant milestone in iBoozee’s expansion, offering fresh, on-demand juice options through cutting-edge technology. The machines feature Dual Fruit Dispensing Technology, allowing customers to enjoy pure apple or orange juice, or a customised mix, all freshly pressed without added sugar, water, or preservatives.

The vending machines are equipped with advanced features such as robotic processing technology, which washes, cuts, squeezes, and serves fruits in real time. Customers can watch the transparent process, ensuring freshness and hygiene. Additionally, the machines utilise Smart IoT Monitoring, providing operators with live data on sales, inventory, and performance, ensuring consistent quality and uptime. Cashless transactions are facilitated through integration with PayNow, NETS cards, and e-wallets, offering a seamless and hygienic experience.

Deric Yeo, Group Chief Operating Officer of iBoozee, stated, “We believe that true wellness shouldn’t be complicated or costly. In the midst of a hectic day, a healthy choice should be the easiest one to make.” The company plans to deploy 500 units across Singapore by the end of 2027, targeting high-traffic locations such as commercial buildings, public transportation hubs, and neighbourhoods like the Central Business District.

iBoozee is also offering licensing opportunities for entrepreneurs, supported by real-time data analytics to optimise machine placement and performance. The company will showcase its latest machines at the Franchise & Licensing Asia Expo at Marina Bay Sands from 18 to 20 September 2025, inviting franchise partners and investors to join its vision of making healthier choices available 24/7 across Singapore.

Singapore is grappling with an alarming increase in cyberattacks, with Kaspersky’s latest research revealing that its solutions intercepted 6.49 million attacks from various online sources in 2024. The report highlights a significant rise in exploit-based attacks, password stealers, and backdoor intrusions, with figures continuing to escalate into 2025.

Across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, incident response requests more than doubled, rising from 3.6% to 7.3%. Kaspersky blocked over 62 million attacks, including 16.6 million backdoor attacks and 219,000 involving banking malware. Notably, the region accounted for over 8 million ransomware attacks, representing 55% of the global total.

The sophistication of cyberthreats is increasing, driven by technological advancements. In 2024, 467,000 new malicious samples were detected daily, a stark contrast to one new threat per second in 2011. The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has facilitated cybercrime, enabling attackers to craft convincing phishing attacks and automate malicious activities. AI-powered ransomware groups, such as FunkSec, have emerged, targeting sectors like government, technology, finance, and education.

Igor Kuznetsov, Director of the Global Research and Analysis Team at Kaspersky, stated, “We’re witnessing persistent increases in the volume of cyberattacks both in Singapore and regionally. These attacks are getting stealthier and less predictable, as cybercriminals leverage AI to enhance and invent new ways of executing their malicious campaigns.”

To combat these threats, Kaspersky recommends limiting the sharing of sensitive information online, verifying unsolicited communications, scrutinising for deepfakes, installing apps from official stores, downloading reliable security solutions, and enabling safe browsing features. As cyberthreats continue to evolve, individuals and organisations must bolster their cybersecurity defences to prevent significant data and financial losses.

The National University Hospital (NUH) has been honoured with five prestigious awards at the Hospital Management Asia (HMA) Awards on 11 September 2025, recognising its achievements in AI-driven solutions, sustainability initiatives, and workforce resilience. The accolades highlight NUH’s commitment to advancing healthcare through innovative projects.

Among the award-winning initiatives, the ‘Water-Less ICU’ project received the HMA Gold award in the Infection Control Excellence category. This project tackled late-onset gram-negative sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit by redesigning infrastructure and workflows, resulting in a 50% reduction in sepsis cases among very low birth weight infants.

In the Best in Talent Development category, NUH’s ‘Caring for Caregivers’ programme was recognised for fostering psychological safety and resilience among Emergency Department staff. A survey showed 92% of participants felt their work was meaningful, reflecting the programme’s success.

The ‘CalSense+’ initiative, which uses AI to detect hypercalcaemia, won in the Advanced Healthcare Technology category. Since its launch in January 2024, it has improved detection rates and reduced the time to follow-up care by 50%.

NUH’s commitment to sustainability was also acknowledged. The ‘Optimising Care for Patients with Cellulitis’ project improved discharge processes, increasing the percentage of timely discharges from 48% to over 80%. Additionally, the ‘Healing Patients Whilst Healing the World’ project, which promotes green practices, won in the Most Sustainable Hospital category.

These awards underscore NUH’s role as a leader in healthcare innovation and sustainability, with plans to expand successful initiatives across other areas.

Grace Lu has rejoined Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) in Singapore as Managing Director for the Healthcare Practice, after her tenure in Beijing. Lu will now lead the firm’s Healthcare Practice across Asia Pacific, enhancing RRA’s commitment to transformative leadership solutions for healthcare organisations.

Lu is renowned for her expertise in healthcare, advising both multinational and local organisations on executive recruitment, leadership assessment, and organisational transformation. Her strategic insights have been pivotal in helping clients navigate complex market dynamics and drive patient-centric innovation. Euan Kenworthy, who oversees RRA’s operations in Southeast Asia, expressed enthusiasm about Lu’s return, stating, “Her return brings invaluable continuity and deep sector knowledge to our team.”

Reflecting on her new role, Lu said, “I am truly excited to be rejoining the Singapore team and reconnecting with colleagues and clients in this dynamic market. Having spent time in China, I hope to bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to help our healthcare clients navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Ulrike Wieduwilt, Greater China Country Leader at RRA, acknowledged Lu’s contributions in Beijing, noting her instrumental role in advancing the healthcare practice in Greater China. Wieduwilt added, “Whilst we will miss her presence in Greater China, we are excited for her as she returns to Singapore.”

Lu’s academic credentials include a BS in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science, an MS in international policy studies from Stanford University, and an MBA from the London Business School. Her return is expected to significantly impact RRA’s healthcare initiatives across the region.

Rental volumes for both HDB flats and condominiums in Singapore saw a decline in August 2025, according to the latest 99-SRX Media Flash Report. The Seventh Lunar Month, a period traditionally associated with reduced moving activity, contributed to this slowdown. Additionally, families with school-going children typically secure leases earlier in the year, further easing demand by August.

In the condo rental market, prices remained stable overall, with the Core Central Region (CCR) and Rest of Central Region (RCR) experiencing slight increases of 0.4% and 0.8%, respectively. The Outside Central Region (OCR) saw a minor decrease of 0.1% compared to July 2025. Year-on-year, rental prices rose by 2.9% overall, with CCR, RCR, and OCR increasing by 3.4%, 3.2%, and 2%, respectively. Rental volumes dropped by 8.6% month-on-month, with 7,949 units rented in August compared to 8,695 in July. However, volumes were 6.4% higher year-on-year and exceeded the five-year average for August by 4.7%.

The HDB rental market experienced a 0.8% decrease in prices compared to July 2025, with Mature and Non-Mature estates seeing declines of 1.1% and 0.4%, respectively. Prices for 3-room, 4-room, and Executive flats fell, whilst 5-room flats saw a slight increase of 0.1%. Overall, rental prices increased by 2.8% year-on-year. Rental volumes decreased by 13% month-on-month, with 2,758 flats rented in August compared to 3,170 in July. Year-on-year, rental volumes rose by 3.8% and were 3.9% above the five-year average for August.

Luqman Hakim, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at 99.co, noted that tenants might be delaying renewals or new leases in anticipation of more supply from newly completed projects later in the year.