Uniquely Singapore takes to the waters

The light rain were showers of blessings on the Sunday morning of 13 May 2007, as proud Singaporeans and supportive friends gathered at St. Katharine’s Dock in London to witness the launch of the Uniquely Singapore clipper by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Singapore’s Minister for Education and Second Minister for Finance.

This is the second consecutive year that Singapore is fielding an entry in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The main sponsor of Uniquely Singapore for the 07-08 Race is Keppel Corporation, together with race partner, Singapore Tourism Board.

Having clinched an overall fifth position in the Clipper 05-06 Race, Uniquely Singapore, named then by Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, returns to do the nation proud.


DEEPENING PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION

At the ceremony, Minister Tharman said, “Uniquely Singapore’s entry in the Clipper Race was made possible by the deepening cross-sector collaboration between Singapore’s public service and private corporations.

“Beyond contributing to the economic development of Singapore, business organisations play an integral role in projecting the Singapore brand globally and in strengthening our friendship and cooperation with the world.

“Such combined efforts will not only show up the quality of Singapore’s global enterprises, it will also raise our country’s profile and prominence as a leading global business hub and choice destination in which to live, work and play.”

Mr Teo Soon Hoe, Senior Executive Director and Group Finance Director of Keppel Corporation, said, “The Keppel Group and the Singapore Tourism Board have come together once again in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to achieve a common vision – to promote Singapore to the world as a truly global city and one of Asia’s top business and tourist destinations.

“Come January 2008, the Clipper yachts will be warmly welcomed at our spanking new Marina at Keppel Bay, one of Singapore’s most prestigious waterfront addresses. Their timely arrival will add colour and vibrancy to this southern waterfront hub which is on the world’s radar screen with the upcoming Sentosa Integrated Resort and our iconic waterfront residences, Caribbean and Reflections at Keppel Bay.”


DEBUTING LOCAL TALENT

Rachel Goh Da Ling and Daphne Leong, top BA (Hons) design students of LASALLE College of the Arts, were the brains behind the fresh and contemporary look of Uniquely Singapore.

The design was inspired by key characteristics of the city-state’s identity like courage, strength and excellence, as embodied in the bright red hull helmed by the Lion Head symbol as well as the twinkling stars.

According to its creators, “The colours, red and white, play an important part in the design. Like the colours of our national flag, red symbolises universal brotherhood and equality of man while white signifies pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. We wanted the strong national colours to distinguish Uniquely Singapore from the rest of the yachts.

“The stars are stylistically designed so that they appear to be bursting and fluid. They symbolise the brilliance, versatility and energy of the people of Singapore, and the strong spirit of adventure expressed by the five points spreading across and out of the hull and sail. Singapore, although a tiny dot on the atlas, is bursting onto the world stage in all aspects.”

The partnership between Keppel and LASALLE for the excellent design of Uniquely Singapore has gone down well with Minister Tharman, who commended “Keppel for not only encouraging its own talents to take up the challenge in this endeavour but also in offering this platform to showcase Singapore’s young talents.”

Truly, with its well-crafted design intent and national chord, Uniquely Singapore will fly the Singapore flag high wherever it sails.


POWERING OUR PEOPLE

As part of its people development initiatives, Keppel sponsored two of its employees as Keppel Ambassadors in two separate legs of the Clipper 05-06 Race.

Stepping up its commitment to provide exposure and self-development opportunities for its employees, Keppel announced at the launch its commitment to send a team of seven Keppelites, one of whom is a full circumnavigator, to crew Uniquely Singapore in the Clipper 07-08 Race.

“The Keppel Group, with operations in 33 countries worldwide, prides itself in being actively involved in community projects all over the world.

“The Clipper experience provides Keppel with a global platform through which we can promote as well as share our values with people from all walks of life. These values include a global mindset, passion and dare in overcoming challenges and a spirit of achievement and excellence.

“For the Race this year, more Keppelites will be challenged to grow beyond their personal limitations and unleash their potential through the Clipper experience,” said Mr Teo.


CHAIRMAN MEETS OUR CREW

Speaking to the seven Keppel ambassadors who will represent the Company in the Race, Keppel Corporation Executive Chairman Mr Lim Chee Onn shared, “Learn as much as you can. Discover yourself, your strengths and weaknesses; your likes and dislikes.

“The Clipper experience will test you mentally, physically and emotionally. Treat it as part of career development. I treat it as management development.

“In fact, we’ll put everyone through the arduous Clipper experience before we hire next time,” he added in jest.

Mr Lim met the Keppel Ambassadors over tea, supported by senior management from the various Keppel Group subsidiaries. Ambassador Tony Siddique, Chairman of the Uniquely Singapore Clipper Steering Committee, was also present to give words of advice to the crew.

To Hizam Bin Haiyon, Assistant Section Manager (Engineering) of Keppel FELS, who is the single Round-the-Worlder representing Keppel, Mr Siddique urged, “You must be the watch-leader for all the other leggers. You will be more experienced than the rest, so you must teach the other Keppel crew when they join you on different legs of the race.”

Sharing personal anecdotes from his sailing experiences, the Chairman also encouraged each of the Keppel Ambassadors to cherish the valuable exposure and opportunity offered to them.

TEAM KEPPEL

They are the chosen ones.

Out of some 50 candidates from across the group, seven were picked to represent Keppel on the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.


ROUND-THE-WORLDER

Hizam Bin Haiyon
Assistant Section Manager (Engineering),
Keppel FELS

Working with a multi-cultural, multi-national organisation like Keppel has brought me a great sense of achievement and satisfaction. Being a Keppel ambassador onboard Uniquely Singapore will provide me the opportunity to share Keppel’s Can Do! spirit with them.


LEGGERS
Koh Kok Siong
Senior Engineer,
Keppel Seghers

The Clipper platform will allow me to share with other international and Singaporean crew members the Keppel core values that I have come to embrace – responsibility, teamwork and the Can Do! attitude.


Agatha Goh
Group Human Resources Assistant Manager,
Keppel Corporation

I am honoured to represent Keppel on the international arena. It will demonstrate the true spirit of Keppelites and our global business presence. At a personal level, it’s a great milestone to mark my tenth anniversary with Keppel.


Diana Chan
Group Corporate Communications Executive,
Keppel Corporation

Young or old, whether you are in corporate communications or engineering, the Company is all-inclusive and will give talented individuals a chance to rise to the occasion. I am proud to stand alongside other Keppelites on the global stage.


Lawrence Chan
Corporate Development/Planning Manager,
Keppel Corporation

It is truly a privilege to represent Keppel in this international event. Our businesses are constantly competing against the best on the world stage, and successfully maintain our leadership position through sheer determination, skill and teamwork. I will certainly do my best alongside the other crew members and Keppelites.


Desmond Lim
Senior Executive,
Marina at Keppel Bay, Keppel Land

I have been preparing myself for a challenge like the Clipper Round the World Race. Fortunately, my career in Marina at Keppel Bay has fuelled my dream to take on the adventure. This is a chance of a lifetime for me to represent Keppel and Singapore in the race which I have always had a passion for.