On 17 October 2025, SSA Young Executives Group (YEG) members participated in an exclusive tour of PSA Marine, organised by the SSA YEG Committee. The visit was conducted in two sessions and provided a structured overview of PSA Marine’s core functions and technological capabilities. Members gained firsthand exposure to the operational backbone of Singapore’s maritime services and a deeper understanding of how PSA Marine contributes to Singapore’s position as a global maritime hub.
Established in 1964, PSA Marine is a key provider of pilotage and towage services in Singapore. The organisation plays a vital role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of vessels through one of the world’s busiest ports.
Gaining An Appreciation of Key Role Marine Pilots Play
Participants were introduced to PSA Marine’s business operations and its contributions to Singapore’s growth as the world’s busiest container transhipment hub. Beyond its local operations, PSA Marine also maintains a global presence across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.
In Singapore, PSA Marine has curated a team of 285 marine pilots. Each one entrusted with one of the most critical tasks in maritime logistics, to safely guide vessels through complex and congested waterways, often under challenging conditions. Their work demands:
- Expert knowledge of local tides, currents, and port protocols
- Split-second decision-making in unpredictable conditions
- Advanced ship-handling skills, even aboard unfamiliar vessels
- Clear communication across vessel and port teams
To preserve this expertise and instinct, PSA maintains a multi-generational team of marine pilots aged 25 to 73. This creates an environment where seasoned veterans mentor younger pilots, passing down hard-earned experience and knowledge.
Tour Highlights
The visit offered YEG members a clearer understanding of the operational backbone of Singapore’s maritime services. It also reinforced the importance of innovation, training and knowledge-sharing in sustaining Singapore’s marine pilotage leadership.
Participants were introduced to the Mission Command Centre, where PSA Marine coordinates pilotage and towage services across Singapore’s port waters. The centre’s real-time monitoring and decision-making systems demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and operational excellence.
A key highlight of the tour was the walkthrough of PSA Marine’s state-of-the-art ship simulators, which includes:
- Full Mission Bridge Simulator
- Full Mission Tug Bridge Simulator
Customised to reflect Singapore’s maritime conditions, these simulators train marine pilots and tug masters in complex navigational scenarios. These include adverse weather conditions and handling new vessel types, all within a safe and controlled environment.
Participants had the opportunity to try the simulators themselves. One group attempted to berth the Sovereign Maersk, a 350m long container ship. This hands-on experience was a glimpse into the precision and skill required of marine pilots. It also highlighted PSA Marine’s focus on training and safety through technology.
This initiative is part of SSA’s ongoing efforts to deepen industry engagement and provide members with meaningful exposure to key maritime organisations. SSA extends its sincere thanks to PSA Marine for hosting the YEG community and looks forward to future collaborations that strengthen ties within the maritime sector.
To view photos of the event, please visit the YEG PSA Marine Tour photo album.
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