Singapore's western port of Tuas is transforming into a fully automated maritime hub, consolidating other ports into a single advanced facility. This move aims to enhance capacity and efficiency, securing Singapore's role in global trade. A report from Nikkei Asia highlights this project as a step to boost Singapore's trade capabilities.
At Tuas Port, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) operate without human drivers, monitored remotely via RFID systems. These vehicles run for six to eight hours on one charge, with 20-minute charging at automated stations, facilitating continuous operations.
In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million TEUs, reinforcing its trade role. Tuas Port's expansion aims to increase capacity to 65 million TEUs by the 2040s, addressing modern port demands, including environmental and technological challenges. Automation and AI are central to reducing human involvement, with a new AI-powered system managing vessel traffic to prevent congestion.
To meet its net-zero emissions goal by 2050, the port uses electrified equipment like AGVs, cutting emissions by about 50% compared to diesel systems. PSA International collaborates with startups to drive technological advancements through research partnerships.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described Tuas as "the port of the future," highlighting its strategic role in global trade. As Southeast Asian ports expand due to trade tensions and manufacturing shifts from China, Tuas Port aims to maintain its position in the global supply chain, driven by automation and AI.
Source: The Independant