Revamped maritime gallery showcases S'pore's past and future

A clutch of artefacts fished up from the seabed from centuries-old shipwrecks in Singapore's waters have been put on display at the revamped Singapore Maritime Gallery at Marina South Pier.

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan

The gallery, which was set up in 2012 by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), was officially reopened by Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai on March 17.

The refreshed gallery features a new heritage zone highlighting "pivotal moments" in Singapore's maritime history, which dates back to the first written records of Singapore as a strategic trading post by Chinese explorers in the 3rd century, Mr Murali noted.

The "Tides of Time" exhibition features artefacts, such as a rattle, a candlestick holder and fragments of porcelain bowls and spoons, that offer a rare glimpse into Singapore's role in regional trade long before its colonial history, said MPA. Some of the finds date back to the 14th century.

The artefacts were curated in partnership with the National Heritage Board and the National University of Singapore, MPA said. Work on the "Tides of Time" started in September 2024 and was completed in February 2025.