SSA Showcases OSV Sector with OSV@Vivo 'Open House'

OSV@Vivo has been taken to the heart of the Singapore public with an anticipated 4,000 visitors, expected to throng the two state-of-the-art Offshore Support Vessels (OSV) “Pacific Legacy” and “VOS Prince” moored at local shopping mall Vivocity Waterfront Promenade from 21 to 23 April 2016. Local institutes of higher learning are lending their support to this inaugural event with some 600 students from the Institute of Technical Education and Ngee Ann Polytechnic already registered to attend.
 
This industry-led project, spearheaded by the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and held in conjunction with Singapore Maritime Week, is designed to create awareness of the offshore marine sector – a key sector in the Singapore maritime industry. In addition to representatives from the SSA community, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), offshore marine companies, port and pilotage operators, ship agencies and even the legal community put in more than three months of work to make OSV@Vivo a reality.
 
A further 22 companies have stepped up as sponsors and exhibitors of the event to showcase the strengths of this important sector. Besides ship models of OSVs, visitors will get up close and personal with subsea dive equipment, subsea remotely operated vehicles, oceanography survey equipment, as well as other sector-related products and services displayed onboard the two OSVs.
 
Some 80 industry practitioners aged between 19 years old to a youthful 74, have stepped up to volunteer as ship ambassadors to share their maritime experience with visitors.
 
OSV@Vivo will be officially launched on 22 April 2016 by Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Transport.
 
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Esben Poulsson, President of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), will point to the importance that the offshore sector, and shipping in general, can play in the lives of Singapore’s educated and talented youth and the high value career opportunities on offer.
 
“We hope this event will provide opportunities for students to uncover the myriad of career opportunities that shipping can provide. It is with the help of our MaritimeONE partners, MPA, Singapore Maritime Foundation and Association for Singapore Marine Industries that we have been able to use OSV@Vivo as a platform to reach out to the youth of Singapore,” he will tell attendees.
 
Filip Olde Bijvank, Managing Director of Vroon Offshore Services Pte. Ltd., was appreciative for the opportunity to showcase its last newbuild Platform Supply Vessel “VOS Prince” to the wider Singapore public.  “Vroon has a long tradition in servicing the offshore oil and gas industry with a modern diversified fleet of fuel efficient OSV vessels. All our vessels are operated by our dedicated crew at the highest safety standards. Our staff and crew are especially proud to be in the spotlight this week as they usually operate in remote deep oceans away from the public’s eye.”
 
Ron Mathison, Managing Director, Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Ltd. said, “I applaud Singapore Shipping Association’s efforts and garnering the strong support from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the industry to raise the profile of the offshore sector as part of the Singapore Maritime Week 2016. Swire Pacific Offshore commemorates our 41st anniversary this year and the opportune use of “Pacific Legacy” as part of OSV@Vivo is a great way to celebrate our presence in Singapore and the strong partnerships we have forged in the Singapore maritime community.  We hope that our participation will allow members of the public to gain a deeper appreciation of the offshore sector and the work we do.”
 
In appreciation, Mr Poulsson said, ''I would like to sincerely thank the whole team at the SSA Secretariat and our industry partners, not least the shipowners, for all their hard work and commitment in making this event a reality. It is a great example of the collaborative and constructive way in which Maritime Singapore works together.”
 
Capt. Mike Meade, Chairman of the SSA Offshore Services Committee, added: “The sterling effort put in by the working committee is truly admirable. Their energy and selfless sharing of expertise from the multiple disciplines needed to pull off this event warms my heart with pride. It only goes to show that the maritime community of Singapore has a resilient, go-getting, can-do attitude when it puts its mind to it.  I urge anybody who has an interest of embarking in a career in the maritime industry to register online at www.osvatvivo.org and come and spend some time with us this weekend to experience this magnificent showcase first hand.”