Keynote Address by Mr Simon Kuik at JP-SASS Safety Campaign Launch Penjuru Terminal
14 Aug 2026 Speeches
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MR SIMON KUIK,
CHAIRMAN, WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL
(MARINE INDUSTRIES) COMMITTEE,
AT JP-SASS SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCH,
14 AUGUST 2026
PENJURU TERMINAL
Mr Danny Lien, President of the Singapore Association of Shipsuppliers and Services (SASS)
Mr Chua Yeng Hian, Director (Strategy & Policy), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Mr Ron Tan, Vice President of Lighterage and Regional Trade at Jurong Port and Council Member of SASS,
Mr Nelson Teo, Head of Workplace Safety and Health at Jurong Port
WSH Champions and Partners
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning.
1. I am pleased to join you all at the launch of today’s Safety Campaign. My thanks to Jurong Port and SASS, for organising this meaningful initiative. We are gathered a with a common purpose: to strengthen workplace safety and health practices and protect the people who keep our port and marine operations running every day.
Remaining Vigilant in the Marine Industries
2. Singapore’s position as one of the world’s leading international maritime centres has been built not only on efficiency and connectivity, but also on the safety and reliability of our operations. Yet recent incidents remind us that this standing can never be taken for granted.
3. Earlier in June, the Ministry of Manpower called for a nationwide voluntary Safety Time-Out after seven workers lost their lives in five workplace incidents over four weeks. This brought the number of workplace fatalities to 21 in the first half of 2026, compared with 18 in the same period last year. These figures remind us that progress depends on the daily commitment of every company, supervisor and worker.
4. Within our own marine industries, the recent collision involving a supply boat off Pasir Panjang Terminal was a clear reminder that marine operations demand constant vigilance and disciplined adherence to established safety procedures.
5. The nationwide Safety Time-Out was therefore a constructive call for all of us to pause, review and strengthen controls before work resumed. I am heartened that Jurong Port and other SASS members also conducted your own Safety Time-Outs - used the opportunity to engage your teams, review risks arise in the work we do every day , such as personnel transfers at anchorages, truck operations at the wharves, lifting operations and working near water - reinforce consistent good practices on the ground.
6. I commend SASS for organising this timely campaign, which deliver a powerful message: PPE and life jackets are not just equipment, they are lifesaving protections.
7. At the WSH Convention in July, I spoke about climate change as an emerging risk for industries operating in and around the sea. What were once routine activities can quickly become high-risk operations due to rough seas, strong winds and choppy conditions. As extreme weather events become more frequent, these challenges will only intensify.
8. Against this backdrop, every personnel transfer must be approached with heightened vigilance. Conditions should be assessed before every transfer and monitored throughout the operation. When weather, visibility, sea state or vessel movement changes, workers must remain alert, maintain a proper lookout, and follow safety instructions. Equally important is speaking up, whether it is reporting hazards, unsafe conditions, marine incidents, or informing supervisors when unwell.
9. The correct use of PPE, especially life jackets, is non-negotiable. During work near water, life jackets are the last line of defence and can mean the difference between life and death.
10. Please encourage your members and management team to use the new WSH Guidelines on Personal Flotation Devices (ie life jackets) how to train your team correctly select, properly wear, securely fastened, inspected before use, and maintained in good condition so that they perform when needed most.
Extending Safety Across the Marine Industries
11. Our sector is highly diverse, comprising vessel owners, operators, ship suppliers, service providers, contractors, and many smaller companies. Yet all of us play interconnected roles in the same marine ecosystem. That is why we must continue reaching the wider industry through Trade Associations, Marine Industries Committee and other WSH networks, so that we can learn from one another and raise safety standards across the entire supply chain.
12. Strong WSH outcomes ultimately depend on the collective commitment of owners, operators, suppliers, contractors, supervisors and workers. Each of us has a role to play: to speak up when something is unsafe, stop work when conditions are not right and look out for one another.
13. The Marine Industries Committee, which I chair and where SASS is represented by Ms Yan Ming, will continue to partner SASS, Association of Singapore Marine and Offshore Energy Industries (ASMI), Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and Commercial Diving Association Singapore (CDAS) to address common risks, strengthen WSH standards across the marine industry, and build a safer operating environment for our people and assets. Thank you for your leadership, commitment and contributions to this shared mission.
Upcoming Anchorage Works Guidelines
14. In this regard, I would like to highlight that the Marine Industries Committee is developing a new set of Guidelines for Anchorage Works. These guidelines will provide practical guidance on WSH responsibilities and good industry practices for anchorage operations, while encouraging the adoption of technology such as video analytics, drones and other digital solutions to enhance safety performance.
15. We look forward to your participation in the upcoming public consultation. Your feedback will be invaluable in shaping a safer and more resilient future for anchorage operations.
Conclusion
16. In closing, I congratulate all award recipients for your commitment to safety. I also thank Jurong Port and SASS for organising this campaign and championing a message that reinforces safety fundamentals.
17. I wish everyone a successful campaign launch and, more importantly, a safe and healthy journey ahead. Thank you.