SINGAPORE is relocating its transshipment port operations to Tuas in 10 years, a move that will add 65 million TEU in annual capacity, nearly doubling today`s capacity at local PSA terminals, announced Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew.
Mr Lui said consolidating transshipment operations at Tuas will bolster efficiency, economies of scale, eliminate inter-terminal transfers and result in cost savings and increased productivity.
Located close to the island`s industrial centre, Tuas is a new port development that can handle up to 65 million TEU annually, nearly double Singapore`s present capacity at PSA terminals.
The first phase of Tuas is scheduled to open in 10 years, ahead of the 2027 expiration of the leases of Singapore city terminals at Tanjong Pagar, Keppel, and Pulau Brani, noted Dredging Today.
The recently completed Terminals 1 and 2 of Pasir Panjang will be merged in Tuas as well. But PSA Singapore will proceed with Phases 3 and 4, which will cover 250 hectares and add 15 new berths with a six kilometre quay.
The Pasir Panjang expansion, which is estimated to cost about US$3.5 billion, will increase PSA Singapore`s maximum draft from 16 to 18 metres to accommodate fully laden 18,000 TEUers now on order. By 2020, both phases will add an annual capacity of 15 million TEU, bringing the port total to 50 million TEU, but is still less than the additional Tuas planned capacity, which alone is estimated to handle 15 million TEU on completion.