Feature 5 | Singapore report
From niche to nub
The marine industry in Singapore is experiencing unprecedented levels of
growth. A report by Clare Nicholls.
S
ingapore’s marine industries now Singapore’s supporting industries have also standards, and the Convention of Tonnage
generate annual turnover of Sing$7 evolved. These range from small- to medium- Measurement of Ships, 1969 (TM 69).
billion (US$5 billion) and employ sized workshops, to comprehensive factory
some 48,000 workers, representing a vital facilities. Many overseas manufacturers Major players
contribution to the country’s economic have also set up local agencies for their own Two of the largest marine companies in
growth. manufacturing, sales, and services facilities, the country are Sembcorp and Keppel.
The industry has seen significant growth including Chinese giant COSCO, which Sembcorp owns two subsidiary shipyards,
over the past 40 years, evolving from a small runs an office in Suntec City. one of them being Jurong Shipyard.
regional shiprepair and building centre Jurong has the capability to perform
into a recognised business centre serving Substantial growth shiprepair, ship conversion, and offshore
international clientele. Over the last three The Singapore maritime sector achieved engineering, as well as being able to construct
decades, Singapore’s shipyards have gained double digit growth across the board in newbuildings. Sprawling over a total land
prominence for quality, specialised services, 2007, and the port itself handled a record area of 68hectares in two locations, the
timely delivery, a skilled and disciplined 27.9 million containers, up 13% from 2006, shipyard operates four graving docks with a
workforce, as well as the ability to handle reinforcing its reputation as the world’s total capacity of 1,100,000dwt and berthing
sophisticated turn-key projects with busiest shipping hub. Around 140,000 quays stretching over a total length of 2728m
complex requirements. vessels call at the port each year. In a recent with a maximum draught of 9m.
There is a strong propensity towards the World Bank study, Singapore was, in fact, The other Sembcorp-owned yard is
offshore sector, as Singapore is now a leader ranked the number one logistics hub out of Sembawang Shipyard, operating primarily
in the conversion of Floating Production, 150 countries surveyed. from a 65hectare site on Singapore’s north
Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels The Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) coast. The shipyard has five docks totalling
and Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) also grew by 13.9% last year, reaching 775,000dwt with adjacent engineering
units. It is a niche player in the building of 35.9 million tonnes, and the number of facilities.
customised and specialised vessels, as well international shipping groups operating Among Keppel’s yards are facilities in Tuas,
as jack-up rigs. in Singapore is approaching 100. SRS was Benoi, and Gul. The Tuas yard comprises
The country’s shipbuilding industry has established in 1966, with the country’s three docks spread over 430,000m
2
, Benoi
progressed from minor projects such as merchant fleet growing at a rate of around specialises in LNG carrier repairs at its two
the construction of wooden launches and 10% per year in recent years. drydocks, and the shipyard at Gul contains
fishing boats to major projects like steel Singapore takes its environmental three building berths for vessels up to 150m
vessels and specialised ships. Vessels built responsibility seriously as well, as it is a long.
include cableships, containerships, product party to all major international conventions The marine industry is an important
tankers, naval ships, landing ship tanks, and on safety and pollution prevention. These factor in Singapore’s economic development,
patrol craft. include the 1974 SOLAS Convention, and the country’s drive to become a leading
In line with the growth of shiprepair, 1978 STCW Convention, 1996 Load international maritime hub shows no signs
shipbuilding, and rigbuilding activities, Lines guidelines, the 1973/1978 MARPOL of slowing. NA
Some 140,000
vessels call at the
port of Singapore
each year.
78 The Naval Architect March 2008
NA Mar 08 - p78.indd 78 10/03/2008 12:05:00
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100