Singapore plans R14bn port upgrade

SIXTEEN NEW berths will
be built in Singapore in a
US$1.9 (R14bn) move by the
Maritime and Port Authority
of Singapore to handle
growing demand for container
capacity.
The project, undertaken by
a consortium led by Hyundai
Engineering & Construction,
will add 14 million teus to
Pasir Panjang terminal’s
container handling capacity,
with the six year construction
expected to begin later this
year.
Volumes in Singapore
have topped 17.8-million
teus in the first eight months
of 2007, up 13.7% over the
same Jan-Aug period in 2006.
PSA Singapore terminals is
also taking advantage of the
surging traffic and has placed
a R2bn order for around 40
new super post-Panamax
quay cranes to equip the
upgraded Pasir Panjang
terminal, cranes capable of
handling the new generation
13 000 teu ships.