GREATER efficency and faster turnarounds are in the offing as Singapore's four container terminals as they consolidate around the Tuas mega-port project, reports IHS Media.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is about to hand over the 20 million TEU first phase of the Tuas complex to terminal operator PSA International in 2021.
Tuas is being built in four phases and will be capable of handling 65 million TEU annually when completed by 2040, compared with the current 45 million TEU of capacity at PSA International's existing terminals. The first two phases will cost about US$2.8 billion.
'This consolidation of container operations will enable us to achieve greater efficiency and economies of scale, as well as reduce the need for inter-terminal haulage,' said an MPA spokeswoman.
'Tuas Terminal will also have features to enable faster vessel turnaround in the port and optimise the deployment of resources for port and marine services. Both wharfside and yard operations will be automated,' she said.
Said CTI Consultancy partner Andy Lane: 'For local import and export cargo, PSA will not be permitted to hike costs and drive up the overall cost of the domestic supply chain.
'For transshipment demand, a large hike in handling costs would reduce Singapore's competitiveness against the port of Tanjung Pelepas and Port Klang and reduce the barrier to entry for other prospective hubs, such as Kuala Tanjung or Craney Island,' Mr Lane said.
MPA chief executive Quah Ley Hoon said Tuas Terminal innovation includes a next-generation vessel traffic management system that will be used to predict congestion hotspots and assist vessel route planning, a maritime single window to streamline the submission process for faster port clearance and a just-in-time planning and coordination system for faster vessel turnarounds, remote controlled vessel pilotage, and a maritime sense-making system to improve port operations by preventing illegal bunkering and optimising anchorage utilisation.
PSA International is using 30 automated guided vehicles in a trial with automated yard cranes and quay cranes in the Pasir Panjang terminal that will be expanded for use at Tuas.
Said Mr Lane: 'The productivity bottleneck in almost all terminals is yard capacity and velocity. So starting with a blank sheet, PSA can right-size the yard and ensure the right ratio between yard and quay cranes.'
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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is about to hand over the 20 million TEU first phase of the Tuas complex to terminal operator PSA International in 2021.
Tuas is being built in four phases and will be capable of handling 65 million TEU annually when completed by 2040, compared with the current 45 million TEU of capacity at PSA International's existing terminals. The first two phases will cost about US$2.8 billion.
'This consolidation of container operations will enable us to achieve greater efficiency and economies of scale, as well as reduce the need for inter-terminal haulage,' said an MPA spokeswoman.
'Tuas Terminal will also have features to enable faster vessel turnaround in the port and optimise the deployment of resources for port and marine services. Both wharfside and yard operations will be automated,' she said.
Said CTI Consultancy partner Andy Lane: 'For local import and export cargo, PSA will not be permitted to hike costs and drive up the overall cost of the domestic supply chain.
'For transshipment demand, a large hike in handling costs would reduce Singapore's competitiveness against the port of Tanjung Pelepas and Port Klang and reduce the barrier to entry for other prospective hubs, such as Kuala Tanjung or Craney Island,' Mr Lane said.
MPA chief executive Quah Ley Hoon said Tuas Terminal innovation includes a next-generation vessel traffic management system that will be used to predict congestion hotspots and assist vessel route planning, a maritime single window to streamline the submission process for faster port clearance and a just-in-time planning and coordination system for faster vessel turnarounds, remote controlled vessel pilotage, and a maritime sense-making system to improve port operations by preventing illegal bunkering and optimising anchorage utilisation.
PSA International is using 30 automated guided vehicles in a trial with automated yard cranes and quay cranes in the Pasir Panjang terminal that will be expanded for use at Tuas.
Said Mr Lane: 'The productivity bottleneck in almost all terminals is yard capacity and velocity. So starting with a blank sheet, PSA can right-size the yard and ensure the right ratio between yard and quay cranes.'
WORLD SHIPPING