Dear Friends and Members of the Singapore Organisation of Seamen,

Happy New Year and congratulations to the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) on your 50th anniversary!

2020 was truly a year of uncertainty and challenges. COVID-19 disrupted the global economy in unprecedented ways, and tested our resilience and unity as a nation. Singapore has continued to facilitate crew change safely despite the pandemic. Together with SOS, unions and industry partners, we set up the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Alliance Resilience Fund (SG-STAR Fund) to strengthen crew change procedures at crew source countries.

Locally, we continue to provide the Seafarers Relief Package to Singapore seafarers who have been unable to secure shipboard employment due to the pandemic. Our steadfast support for the maritime industry has been noted by the global shipping world. We are beginning to see good recovery from some sectors of the maritime industry. However, it is not over.

As we move into 2021 with new hopes and resolutions, I hope SOS will step up its support for its members who have been under new stresses. The start of a new year is an opportune time to not only look back, but also think about how we can build back better, stronger, and more sustainably, to ensure that we are ahead of the curve as businesses around the world recover from the pandemic.

I look forward to seeing what we, as an organisation, can accomplish in this new year, while celebrating this important milestone. Once again, congratulations SOS!