Maritime Hackathon 2025:
A Stellar Showcase of Innovation and Talent
The Maritime Hackathon 2025 concluded with resounding success, bringing together brilliant minds from across Singapore to solve pressing challenges in the maritime industry. Jointly organised by the Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS), the Institute of Operations Research and Analytics (IORA) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF), and RightShip, this year’s hackathon showcased cutting-edge ideas, fostering innovation in maritime technology and sustainability.
A Day of Creativity and Collaboration
The event saw 344 participants from 93 teams submitting their case papers by 9:00 am on 18 January 2025. Following this, over 300 participants attended the Industry Showcase from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, where they interacted with maritime experts and gained valuable insights.
In the afternoon, the top three teams from each category were shortlisted during the Oral Presentation session (1:00 pm to 3:30 pm) to present their findings. Mr Marlon Grech, Chief Technology Officer of RightShip, opened the session with an inspiring welcome address, while Associate Professor Tan Kok Choon, Deputy Director of CMS, provided closing remarks.
Recognising Excellence: Winners by Category
The hackathon featured two competition categories:
Category A (University Level)
Problem Statement: Vessel Deficiency Severity Prediction
- Winner: Team GeePeeTee (Singapore Management University)
- 1st Runner-Up: Team Aqualytic (Singapore University of Technology and Design)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Team UpShipping (Singapore University of Technology and Design)
Category B (Junior College & Polytechnic Level)
Problem Statement: Just-In-Time Arrival and Emission Reduction
- Winner: Team Panglima Kings (Singapore Polytechnic)
- 1st Runner-Up: Team Ship Happens (Hwa Chong Institution)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Team Pow(e, (ipi/2)) rgb (Anderson Serangoon Junior College)
Prize Award Ceremony
The day culminated in the Prize Award Ceremony (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm), opened and closed by Professor Chew Ek Peng, Director of CMS. Mr Nelson Quek, Chairman of CMS and Regional CEO SEA, PSA International, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address, highlighting the critical role of innovation in shaping the future of maritime industry.
Esteemed guests in attendance included:
- Mr Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation) at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
- Mr Hor Weng Yew, Chairman of the Singapore Maritime Foundation
- Ms Tan Beng Tee, Executive Director of the Singapore Maritime Foundation
Exclusive MPA Sea Exploration Tour
As part of the hackathon's efforts to deepen participants’ understanding of the maritime industry, over 60 participants joined the exclusive MPA Sea Exploration Tour held on 25 January 2025. Sponsored by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the tour was designed with the following objectives:
- Uncover Our Maritime Heritage: Participants delved into Singapore’s rich maritime heritage, tracing its evolution over 700 years to its present-day prominence as a global maritime hub.
- Understand Maritime Operations: They gained insights into port operations, harbour activities, and the interconnected roles of stakeholders in the maritime sector.
- Appreciate the Evolving Role of Ports: The tour highlighted the ever-expanding role of ports in facilitating global trade and supply chains, supported by technological advancements.
- Learn About Offshore Islands: Participants explored the significance of Pulau Sebarok, Pulau Bukom, and Jurong Island in shaping Singapore's maritime landscape, particularly in the context of sustainability and shipping.
- Explore Sustainable Maritime Initiatives: The tour provided an opportunity to reflect on eco-friendly practices and cutting-edge green technologies adopted in the maritime industry.
This educational experience offered a unique perspective on the maritime sector’s complexities and its critical role in global commerce.
A Collaborative Effort
The success of the Maritime Hackathon 2025 would not have been possible without the contributions of its Organisers, Supporting Organisations, Event Partners and NUS MTM Student Ambassadors:
- Organisers:
- Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS), NUS
- Institute of Operations Research and Analytics (IORA), NUS
- Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF)
- RightShip
- Supporting Organistions:
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
- PSA
- Seatrium
- Event Partners:
- Databricks (Self-Paced Learning)
- Spire (Dataset Providers)
- Microsoft (Microsoft Educational Exam Vouchers)
- NUS Student Ambassadors
- Master of Science in Maritime Technology and Management (MTM)
Looking Ahead
The Maritime Hackathon 2025 underscored the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, creativity, and innovation in addressing complex challenges within the maritime industry. By fostering partnerships between academia, industry, and government, the hackathon continues to inspire the next generation of maritime leaders and innovators.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all participants, winners, and stakeholders who contributed to this remarkable event. Together, we play a part in steering the maritime industry in Singapore towards a smart and sustainable future!
