Page 9 - Demo

Singapore’s Next Generation Port (NGP) 2030 – Next Generation Tuas TerminalThe Port of Singapore has the advantages of a good strategic location, good connectivity (connecting to more than 200 countries and 600 ports) and high service levels. These have all contributed to the current successes of the port. However, this may not be a guarantee that the Port of Singapore will remain competitive in future. There are challenges that we face; such as land and sea space constraints, higher costs relative to the region and manpower constraints.In order to stay relevant over the next 10, 20 or even 50 years, Singapore needs to deliver world-class service to all our customers - which is why the Next Generation Port 2030 initiative or NGP 2030 has been introduced.One of the major components of the NGP 2030 is the next generation Tuas Terminal. Tuas Terminal will be developed in four phases and when fully developed, it will have the capacity to handle 65 million twenty-foot equivalents (TEUs) per annum, making it the largest single mega container terminal in the world. Tuas Terminal will also incorporate new features such as optimising land use by utilising both above and underground spaces for complementary purposes like storage facilities; enhancing the safety and security of the port waters via a next generation traffic management system; and increasing productivity and reducing labour costs through the use of technology like automated yard cranes and port equipment.Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr. Khaw Boon Wan marked the initiation ceremony by launching the first of 222 caissons on 29th April 2016. These 222 caissons will form the permanent wharf structure. Each caisson is 28 metres tall and equivalent to the heightLaunch of the 1st Caisson of Tuas Terminal Phase 1, 29th April 2016NEWSof a 10-storey HDB block; the caissons designed for Tuas Terminal Phase 1 are one of the largest in the world. The Tuas Terminal will be developed over the span of some 30 years, with the Phase 1 reclamation works scheduled to be completed by the early 2020s.As quoted by MPA Chief Executive, Mr Andrew Tan, “The Tuas Terminal is a centrepiece of Singapore’s Next Generation Port vision and demonstrates our strong commitment to strengthening and sustaining our leadership position as a global hub port and International Maritime Centre. Additionally, we hope that complex projects of this scale can inspire the next generation of engineers to join the profession and help shape our future.”What is a Caisson?If you are wondering what a caisson is, the “Waves” editorial team has the answer for you!A caisson is a large watertight retaining structure, which can be used to work on the foundations of a bridge pier, for the construction of a concrete dam, or for the repair of ships. In the case of the TuasTerminal, the caissons are used to build the wharf structure, which is faster compared to traditional methods like piling.Caissons open at the bottom, from which the water is kept out by air pressure and this keeps the working environment dry, in which construction work can be carried out under water. The concrete, watertight, retaining structure will eventually sit on a foundation on the seabed.See picture for illustration of a caisson.|7Schematic cross section of a pressurized caisson (Image source: Wikipedia)ISSUE 51 | WAVES