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Senior maritime representatives from 11 countries embarked on the 2nd Maritime Public Leaders' Programme (MPLP) today at the Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) Infrastructure Systems and Maritime Studies Division, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), in partnership with NTU, and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) under the Singapore Co-operation Programme, the MPLP is a seven-day programme that offers a holistic and interdisciplinary curriculum. It encompasses maritime-related and public administration topics and furnishes participants with skills and information on the latest trends and best practices in the maritime industry.

Mr Lam Yi Young, MPA's Chief Executive said, "The MPLP is designed to bring together leaders of maritime administrations from different countries to learn from subject matters experts and from each other, and to network and exchange ideas. This year, we are glad to be having participants from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Middle East and Oceania."

The inaugural programme in 2011 was attended by participants from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

Attended by senior administrators and up and coming maritime officials, the programme touches on diverse topics ranging from port planning and management, shipping economics and finance, maritime law and security, to public leadership and governance.

Lecturers and speakers will include professors from different schools and institutes such as NTU's S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Nanyang Business School, and NUS' Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

The Chairman of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Mr Jeffrey Lantz and the Vice-Chairman of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee Mr Arsenio Dominguez will also be guest speakers at the programme.

Professor Soh Chee Kiong, Acting Chair of NTU's School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, said that he is confident the interdisciplinary programme will add value to the knowledge and expertise of even the experienced maritime leaders.

"Following the success of the inaugural programme in 2011, we see more senior officials attending the Maritime Public Leaders Programme this year. Participants will be exposed to a myriad of maritime-related topics, ranging from shipping economics, public leadership and governance, to port performance development. I am confident they will benefit from NTU's strengths in engineering and business," said Professor Soh.

Apart from lectures and case studies, participants will also visit some of Singapore's maritime facilities to gain valuable insights into the policies and processes that have enabled Singapore to grow into a global hub port. This year, the participants will also have the opportunity to attend part of the 2012 Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON), the marine fuels event organized by the MPA.