Lessons Learned in Singapore: The Rest of the World Isn’t Waiting for the U.S.
As global maritime leaders push forward with sustainability and innovation, the U.S. risks isolation — and missed opportunity.
Written by Matt Classen
Executive Director, TMA BlueTech
This past March, TMA BlueTech led a trade delegation to Singapore to meet with global leaders in ocean innovation, maritime decarbonization, and sustainable blue economy development. What we witnessed was a clear and coordinated effort by multiple nations to build the future of the ocean economy — and to do so at speed and scale. The takeaway was unmistakable: the rest of the world is not waiting.
Singapore’s leadership is deeply attuned to the geopolitical currents shaping global trade and innovation. In a recent public address, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that rising international tensions and mounting policy uncertainty — particularly among major powers — could mark a pivotal turning point in global commerce. If multilateralism continues to erode, and nations shift toward fragmented or protectionist agendas, we may witness a significant reordering of economic and innovation alliances. Against this backdrop, Singapore is intensifying its commitment to global collaboration and long-term strategy. The United States, by contrast, risks being left behind.
Singapore has emerged as a global hub for maritime and ocean innovation. From advanced decarbonization roadmaps and high-tech port systems to national ocean data strategies and dual-use maritime solutions, the city-state is investing in a comprehensive, cross-sector approach to ocean sustainability and resilience. Importantly, these initiatives are not limited to climate or science; they’re integrated into trade policy, defense priorities, and national economic strategy.
What stood out most during our mission was the momentum behind international collaboration. Countries like Norway, Japan, and members of the European Union are aligning through innovation clusters, trade partnerships, and procurement-driven consortia. They’re jointly developing solutions to today’s most urgent maritime challenges: climate adaptation for port infrastructure, electrification of fleets, AI-enabled ocean monitoring, and carbon reduction technologies. These are not distant goals — they are already being implemented at scale.
Meanwhile, international partners are growing increasingly uncertain about U.S. leadership in this space. The risk is not just that the U.S. is perceived as lagging — it’s that it may be seen as absent altogether. If federal signals continue to cast doubt on support for climate-resilient and sustainable technologies, American companies may increasingly turn outward for capital, partnerships, and deployment. That would represent a loss not only of influence, but of direct economic and strategic advantage.
This is a critical moment. Many of the most promising technologies in the blue economy are being developed in the United States — from zero-emissions propulsion systems to advanced ocean sensing platforms and maritime AI. If public policy and strategic investment do not keep pace, those innovations may flourish elsewhere, shifting the center of gravity for ocean innovation away from American shores.
What Must We Do?
Prioritize Ocean Innovation in U.S. Policy and Funding
Blue economy technologies must be elevated in national strategy — not just as environmental or scientific tools, but as core infrastructure for economic growth, trade competitiveness, and national security.Support the Bipartisan BLUE GLOBE Act (S.3762)
Introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski, Sheldon Whitehouse, Dan Sullivan, and others, this legislation is a crucial step toward supporting coastal communities, accelerating ocean research and technology, and reinforcing U.S. leadership in sustainable ocean development. It includes provisions for better ocean data infrastructure, international cooperation, workforce development, and innovation commercialization.
Passage of this bill is essential to ensure the U.S. remains a global player in the future of maritime innovation.Invest in Innovation Clusters and Cross-Sector Consortia
The U.S. must strengthen public-private partnerships and regional innovation clusters that connect startups, research institutions, commercial industry, and government agencies — modeled after the global collaboration we saw in Singapore and Europe.Accelerate Maritime Decarbonization and Resilience Projects
From port electrification to ocean-based carbon monitoring, the U.S. must invest in pilot projects and procurement programs that create demand for sustainable technologies — and create domestic pathways for scale.Rebuild Trust with International Partners
The U.S. must reaffirm its commitment to global cooperation — not only by showing up at the table, but by co-investing in multilateral blue economy initiatives, aligning on standards, and advancing joint research and development goals.
Our mission to Singapore was both inspiring and sobering. It confirmed the incredible opportunity ahead — to lead, to collaborate, and to shape the future of maritime innovation. But it also made clear the stakes. The blue economy is no longer niche or theoretical. It is becoming a central pillar of global economic competition, environmental stewardship, and national security.
The question is no longer whether we participate. It’s whether we lead — and act — before it's too late.
