BW Group chairman Andreas Sohmen-Pao will head a group looking at the future direction of Singapore’s maritime industry.
Sohmen-Pao has been appointed the chairman of a committee set up by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore. The committee’s charter is to review Singapore’s “development strategy and identify new growth areas to enhance Singapore’s long-term competitiveness and value proposition,” the MPA said in a statement announcing Sohmen-Pao’s role.
Not that Singapore has anything to worry about regarding its value proposition in the maritime industry, the MPA added. Singapore is ranked as the top shipping centre of 43 global maritime hubs, according to an index published by the Xinhua-Baltic Exchange Shipping Centre Development.
Noting its progress through this century, the MPA said 130 international shipping groups have offices in Singapore, compared to only 20 back in 2000.
But the MPA will also study up-and-coming technologies such as smart ships and ports, data analytics, and other digital platforms in order that Singapore “stay nimble and adapt to new industry paradigms.”
Sohmen-Pao said: “I am delighted to be able to work on this initiative with a high-level group of global maritime leaders Leveraging the group’s diverse expertise and knowledge, we will propose strategies for a more vibrant and competitive Singapore.”
