The new Marina South Wharves (MSW) was officially opened yesterday in a ceremony attended by officials from the Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and management and staff of Jurong Port Pte Ltd. The ceremony was officiated by Mr Pang Kin Keong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport.
Developed by MPA at a cost of $16 million, MSW will complement the existing lighter terminal at Penjuru. MSW will be particularly useful for lighter operators serving ships in the Eastern anchorages, given the shorter travelling distances and thus lower operating costs.
MPA has appointed Jurong Port Pte Ltd as the operator of MSW. Jurong Port Pte Ltd is also the operator of Penjuru Terminal.
Speaking at the official opening, Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive, MPA said, “ The lighter industry provides a vital service and is an integral part of Maritime Singapore. The lighter facilities serve as a conduit for the delivery of critical ship stores and supplies to vessels in the Port of Singapore. MSW will provide quicker access to Singapore’s Eastern anchorages and this will allow for cost savings while boosting service levels.”
Mr Matthew Chan, Chief Executive Officer, Jurong Port Pte Ltd added, “ We look forward to operating MSW to the highest level of efficiency through the innovative use of IT and other technologies.”
Lighter terminals are used by lighter operators to ferry goods to ships in the anchorages. Lighter operations involve the use of small lighter craft to deliver a wide range of goods to ships. These include household items, edibles, medicines, ropes, lubricants, ship machinery and other spare parts.
MSW is purpose-built with crane lifting, cargo handling, mooring and berth facilities to meet the needs of ship suppliers and lighter operators. The development comprises a 100-metres wharf structure and a single storey administration building. Jurong Port Pte Ltd has implemented a new Lighter Wharf Management System (LWMS) at MSW to streamline transactions. The system reduces paper consumption and eliminates manual processes. MSW is also equipped with wireless internet coverage to enable mobile transactions via the LWMS.
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Press Release, September 6, 2012