Sembcorp Marine opens its new Sembmarine Integrated Yard @ Tuas in Singapore
Sembcorp Marine marks a historic milestone today with the grand opening of its new Sembmarine Integrated Yard @ Tuas, the largest integrated yard in Singapore. This new integrated yard is a key thrust of Sembcorp Marine’s strategy to further strengthen its home base operations in Singapore to anchor the Group for long-term sustainable growth and expansion of its marine and offshore business, the company said in its press release.
The grand opening of the Sembmarine Integrated Yard @ Tuas was graced by Guestof-Honour Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, and witnessed by some 1,100 guests including foreign dignitaries His Excellency Duan Jielong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Singapore, His Excellency Regelio Granaguillhome, Ambassador of Mexico to Singapore, government officials, industry representatives and business partners.
Located in the west of Singapore at Tuas View Extension, the 206-hectare new yard facility will be developed over three phases. The 73.3-hectare Phase I Sembmarine Integrated Yard @ Tuas is completed and has commenced operations on August 5, 2013. Capable of serving a wide range of vessels and rigs, including VLCCs, new generations of mega containerships, LNG carriers and passenger ships, Phase I of the new yard is equipped with four VLCC drydocks with a total dock capacity of 1.55 million deadweight tonnes as well as finger piers and basin lengths totalling 3.9 kilometres.
Mr Leo Yip, Chairman EDB said “We congratulate Sembcorp Marine on the completion of the first phase of the Integrated Yard. This is an important milestone in Sembcorp Marine’s 50-year history. The Integrated Yard, which features the latest in production technologies, processes and equipment, represents a major step forward in the marine and offshore industry's efforts to transform itself for sustainable long-term growth. The development of this state-of-the-art facility will enhance the industry’s competitiveness and productivity, and strengthen its global leadership.
Mr Png Cheong Boon, CEO of JTC Corporation, said: “JTC would like to congratulate SembCorp Marine on the official opening of its new Sembmarine Integrated Yard @ Tuas. We are delighted to have played a role in the creation of this compact state-of-the-art yard facility that efficiently raises productivity levels and optimises the use of Singapore’s scarce waterfront land resource. This iconic project reaffirms Singapore's position as a global offshore and marine hub and we are confident that it will contribute to the further success of Sembcorp Marine in Singapore.”
Mr Goh Geok Ling, Chairman of Sembcorp Marine, said: “The Sembmarine Integrated Yard @ Tuas is an apt symbol of our growth and expansion – and it is timely that its launch comes during our 50th anniversary. This next generation yard is a testament of the efforts and strategic investments of our pioneers and leaders who have paved the way to our success today.”
Mr Wong Weng Sun, President & CEO of Sembcorp Marine, said: “With its innovative design, advanced automation and optimised facilities, the Sembmarine Integrated Yard @ Tuas will further maximise work efficiency and operational synergy, enabling us to utilise our workforce and resources to achieve higher productivity and faster turnaround.”
The state-of-the-art new yard facility is designed to maximize operational synergy, production efficiency and critical mass with optimized docking and berthing facilities, an improved dock and quay ratio, a centralized work-efficient layout, and integrated facilities. This will further sharpen our competitive edge to achieve greater productivity and efficiency to deliver innovative, value-added and cost-efficient solutions to customers.
The facilities at the new yard include a drydock (YST D2) of 360m length, 89m width and a draft of 8.5m. This is the widest drydock in Singapore and is designed to accommodate jack-up and semi-submersible rigs. Another drydock (YST D3), measuring 412m in length and 66m in width with a draft of 11.0m, is the longest and deepest ship repair drydock in Asia. It is equipped with an innovative “intermediate dockgate” system and is capable of docking containerships of up to 18,000 TEU, providing flexibility to configure the dock and allow smaller ships to dock in front while other works are carried out at the rear. There is also a special reinforced load-out area for offshore platforms of up to 20,000T. The natural deep waters at the new yard also enable the installation of thrusters for semi-submersibles without towing the rig to sea, providing significant savings for customers.
To maximise the waterfront coverage in land-scarce Singapore, the yard is configured with three finger piers and a basin ranging from 201m to 400m with maximum draft from 9m to 15m, allowing for ultra-deepwater semi-submersible rigs and passenger vessels to be berthed without restrictions in the new yard.
Besides well-equipped facilities, the yard also redefines employee care with a new “inyard living” concept where employees live in self-contained dormitories and accommodation within the new yard premises.
The convenience of residing in the new yard enables employees to have sufficient time to rest and relax after work, which translates to greater productivity and efficiency on the job. Key features of the precinct include a centralised kitchen, sports and recreational, in-house laundry services and other amenities to provide a better quality of life for employees.
Comprising two phases of development, the entire precinct will be capable of housing more than 9,400 employees when fully completed. The Phase I precinct comprises three blocks of seven-storey dormitories for some 4,520 employees and one block of seven-storey apartments for more than 360 engineers. The next phase of development under Phase II will see the addition of a second cluster of dormitories for some 4,520 employees.
Phase II of the new yard, which spans 34.5 hectares, is expected to commence operations in the next three to four years. The site is located adjacent to and north of the Phase I development.