Singapore announced that the reclamation works for the first phase of Tuas Port have been completed — marking a major milestone for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in developing Singapore’s next-generation port.

In a statement, it noted that Tuas Port Phase 1 has 21 deep-water berths that can handle 20 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually.

Singapore’s port operator, PSA, is on target to operationalise the first two berths in Tuas Port Phase 1 by the end of this year.  

Since March 2015,  MPA’s appointed main contractor ‘Dredging International Asia Pacific – Daelim Industrial Joint Venture Pte Ltd (DDJV)’ and supervision consultant ‘Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd’ have been working on the project, which entailed soil improvement works for 414 hectares of land, including 294 hectares measuring 412 football fields of newly reclaimed land; the fabrication and installation of 221 10-storey tall caissons each weighing 15,000 tons to form 8.6km of seawall; and deepening of sea beds to cater for larger ships of the future.

The project, according to the statement, involved a total of 34 million man hours, with the support of over 450 companies. 

S Iswaran, minister for Transport and minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, joined by Chee Hong Tat, senior minister of State for Transport, was at Tuas Port to announce the completion of works for Phase 1. 

Iswaran and guests toured the exhibition that showcased the innovations and sustainable practices used for the reclamation, the future of port operations such as the digital port ecosystem and integrated port operations, as well as MPA’s partnerships with the unions and industry.

"The completion of Phase 1 reclamation for Tuas Port is a significant milestone, demonstrating our resilience amidst adversity, and affirming Singapore’s status as a reliable global hub port trusted by partners," Iswaran said. "It also signals Singapore’s readiness for the future."

Phase 2 work ongoing

Meanwhile, phase 2’s reclamation works are ongoing as scheduled. The planning for Phase 3 has also commenced.

When completed in the 2040s over four phases, Tuas Port will be capable of handling 65 million TEUs annually. 

In its statement, Singapore noted that Tuas Port will be an automated, intelligent and sustainable port. The port will have electrified automated yard cranes and driverless automated guided vehicles that will transport containers between the yard and wharf.

It said MPA will also harness digital technologies such as vessel traffic management system and digitalPORT@SGTM, a one-stop portal for port clearances and other regulatory transactions, as well as just-in-time services to enhance efficiency of port operations and reduce the turnaround time of ships.