At the inaugural Sarawak Maritime Day 2025, State Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin emphasized the need for Sarawak to enhance human capital development in its maritime sector. He highlighted the importance of producing more skilled seafarers and shipbuilding professionals to support the state’s modernization of shipping and navigation. During his speech, Lee pointed out the critical challenges posed by a shortage of skilled seafarers, particularly in attracting young individuals to consider maritime careers.
Lee acknowledged the demanding nature of seafaring but underscored its potential for rewarding opportunities. He explained that ship captains and crew members can save significantly while at sea due to the lack of personal expenses. To address the skilled labor shortage, he called for investment in educational facilities and training institutions aimed at cultivating a diverse pool of maritime professionals, including not just crew but also engineers and specialists.
The minister stressed the need for safety, digital skills, and sustainability within the evolving maritime landscape. He noted that modern shipping practices now incorporate sustainable development goals, including the transition to alternative fuels like methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. These developments necessitate an updated skill set and training to meet new industry standards.
Additionally, Lee recognized the contributions of local river transport operators, including traditional penambang services that are upgrading to electric boats and leveraging e-hailing platforms. The ongoing efforts of seafarers, port workers, shipbuilders, and other maritime professionals were celebrated as vital to the industry’s backbone.
The event, which coincided with the International Maritime Organization’s World Maritime Day, featured the distribution of scholarships worth RM1.02 million to 44 students from Sarawak and Sabah, showcasing a commitment to supporting education in the maritime field. Attendees included dignitaries from the transportation sector and representatives from various maritime organizations, signaling a collaborative effort to enhance the region’s maritime capabilities.
Overall, Sarawak Maritime Day 2025 served as a platform for discussing vital issues in the maritime sector and underlined the state’s ambition to build a skilled workforce equipped for the challenges and opportunities in the maritime industry.
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