Photo Gallery (07 May 2025)

9th International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC)

In his opening remarks for 9th IMSC, our Chief of Navy RADM Sean Wat shared, "As we stand at the crossroads of these evolving challenges, it is clear that our strength lies not in individual efforts, but in our shared commitment to safety and security in the maritime domain. While it is clear that much uncertainty lies ahead, it is only through collaboration, mutual respect, and collective leadership, that we will navigate these choppy waters together. I would put forth to you that the more contested the domain becomes, the more vital it is that we retain space for dialogue and cooperation – even, and especially, in times of disagreement."

Speakers and moderators of the 9th IMSC, with our Chief of Navy RADM Wat (4th from left)

The Heads of delegations, which consists of Navy Chiefs, Director Generals of Coast Guards, and Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies and their representatives, who attended the 9th IMSC

The first panel spoke on the topic ''Geopolitical Developments and their Maritime Consequences". They examined the impact of current geopolitical developments on the maritime domain, and what these mean for peace, security, and rules-based order at sea.

Moderator: Professor Tommy Koh, Former President, Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III)

Panel Speakers:
Dr Rizal Sukma, Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic and International Studies Jakarta;
Dr David M Finkelstein, Vice President and Director, Center for Naval Analyses;
Dr Wu Shicun, Chairman, Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance;
Dr Sarah Kirchberger, Academic Director, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and Security, Kiel University

The second panel centered their focus on the topic "Mutual Cooperation and Collaboration in Pivotal Times". This brought senior naval leaders together to talk about how shared mutual cooperation and collaboration can serve as steady anchors in pivotal times, and how trust can be deepened even amidst uncertainty.

Moderator: Professor Joseph Liow, Dean, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University

Panel Speakers:
ADM Datuk (Dr) Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy;
RADM Garin Golding, Chief of Royal New Zealand Navy;
VADM Kanchana Banagoda, Commander of Sri Lanka Navy;
ADM Stephen T. Koehler, Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet

The third and final panel brought our attention towards new developments, from emerging technologies to underwater infrastructure, as they discussed on the topic "New Developments in the Maritime Domain and their Impact on Contemporary Maritime Issues".

Moderator: Professor Geoffrey Till, Advisor, Maritime Security Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Panel Speakers:
RADM Steven Waddell CMM, MSM, CD, Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy;
Leitender Polizeidirektor Nils Von Waaden, Head of Federal Police, Department for Maritime Security;
VADM Erwin S. Aldedharma, Vice Chief of the Indonesian Navy;
ADM Saito Akira, Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

9th IMSC participants engaging in the Q&A sessions that followed after each panel

Courtesy Calls

Chief of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat (right) with Commander of Djibouti Navy Colonel (COL) Ahmed Daher Djama (left)

Chief of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat (right) with Chief of Staff of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Admiral (ADM) Saito Akira

Chief of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat (right) with Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Ministry of National Defence Lao PDR, Major-General (MG) Vanthong Bouttavong (left)

Chief of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat (right) with Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy Admiral (ADM) Datuk Zulhelmy bin Ithnain (left)

Chief of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat (right) with Flag Officer-in-Command, Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral (VADM) Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta (left)

Chief of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat (right) with Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral (VADM) B Arachchilage Kanchana Silan Priyanka Banagoda (left)

Chief of Staff - Naval Staff (COS-NS) of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Augustine Lim (right) with Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) of Bangladesh Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury (left)

Chief of Staff - Naval Staff (COS-NS) of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Augustine Lim (right) with Strategic Advisor to the Chief of Belgium Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Carl Gillis (left)

Chief of Staff - Naval Staff (COS-NS) of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Augustine Lim (right) with Head Inspectorate of Royal Brunei Navy Captain (CAPT) Haji Norbahrin bin Haji Muamad (left)

Chief of Staff - Naval Staff (COS-NS) of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Augustine Lim (right) with Deputy Chief of Royal Canadian Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Steven Waddell (left)

Chief of Staff - Naval Staff (COS-NS) of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Augustine Lim (right) with Chief Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Spanish Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Manuel Alvargonzález Méndez (left)

Chief of Staff - Naval Staff (COS-NS) of Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Augustine Lim (right) with Deputy Chief of Staff of Vietnam Border Guard Senior Colonel (Snr COL) Vu Van Hung (left)