Our Partners
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National

SOS is a global maritime trade union commissioned by the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) to promote good industrial relations between seafarers and their employers (shipping companies). We work closely with tripartite partners, such as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and Singapore Maritime Employers Federation (SMEF) in furthering Singapore’s reputation as a regional and international maritime hub. 

 

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is a national confederation of trade unions as well as a network of professional associations and partners across all sectors in Singapore. Its objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and working people remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and well-being of our members and working people; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests.

The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) represents a wide spectrum of shipping companies and other businesses allied to the shipping industry. It is a national trade association formed in 1985 to serve and promote the interests of its members and to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore as an International Maritime Centre.

The Singapore Maritime Employers Federation (SMEF) promotes and protects the general interests of its members who are maritime employers. It establishes good industrial relations between the maritime employers and the seafarers whom they employ on board their ships.

The Singapore Maritime officers’ Union (SMOU) was established in 1951 to safeguard the interest and well-being of seafaring officers. SMOU plays a pivotal role in promoting good industrial relations between members and their employers, improving the wages and working conditions of members in the maritime industry through collective bargaining agreements with shipping companies which employ them.

International

SOS actively works with international unions and affiliates, such as the International Transport Worker’s Federation (ITF) and Nautilus Federation to promote and safeguard the employment, safety and welfare of seafarers. At present, SOS serves over 20,000 local and foreign members. 

 

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is an international trade union federation of transport workers’ unions. Around 700 unions representing over 4.5 million transport workers from some 150 countries are members of the ITF. It is one of several Global Federation Unions allied with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations, responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships. It is also involved in legal matters, including liability and compensation issues and the facilitation of international maritime traffic.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace. ILO brings together governments, employers and workers representatives of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.

 

The Nautilus Federation fosters the development of a strategic partnership between member unions with relationships that are ongoing, focused on mutual respect, trust and a shared vision for the success of our common understanding of progressive trade unionism, organising and professional support to our respective members.

The Singapore (Nantong) International Maritime Institute (SNIMI) is a maritime education and training institute, accredited by the China Maritime Safety Administration. It offers mandatory and non-mandatory Merchant Marine courses and a spectrum of full mission navigation simulators, training facilities and training programmes to meet demands from Chinese and international maritime markets.