The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) recently hosted its annual New Year Conversations 2026, bringing together more than 250 industry leaders from the maritime sector. The event, held in Singapore, focused on discussing the global outlook, challenges, and opportunities for Maritime Singapore in the coming year. Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport, Murali Pillai, delivered the opening address, emphasising the importance of collaboration and resilience to maintain Singapore’s competitive edge in the maritime industry.
A key feature of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group. The panel included notable figures such as Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill Ocean Transportation; Rolf Thore Roppestad, Chairman of IG Group and CEO of Gard; Nicholas Brown, CEO of Lloyd’s Register; Harvonne Yap, Vice President of Products Freight Trading at Shell; and Jeremy Sutton, CEO of Swire Shipping. The discussion centred on the market outlook for 2026, addressing potential risks and opportunities.
Hor Weng Yew, Chairman of SMF, highlighted the foundation’s role in fostering industry collaboration. “Through platforms such as the annual New Year Conversations, the Singapore Maritime Foundation brings the industry together and provides an avenue for senior leaders across the ecosystem to connect, take stock of the industry’s developments, and share insights,” he stated.
The event underscored the SMF’s commitment to enhancing Maritime Singapore’s competitiveness and developing a skilled workforce, ensuring the sector’s growth and resilience in a complex global environment.
