Good afternoon, everyone.

1.        Today we are here to celebrate two milestones: (i) Marina South Pier’s 20th Anniversary, and (ii) the completion of its solarisation project.

History of MSP

2.        MSP’s roots go back 170 years, to 1856, when Johnston's Pier was built as a gateway for goods and passengers, Johnston’s Pier was at Collyer Quay. From that modest structure of iron and wood, royalty, world leaders and travellers first stepped into Singapore. Its iconic red warning lamp for ships approaching the pier gave rise to popular names Lampu Merah in Malay and Ang Teng in Hokkien – both meaning “red lamp”.

3.        As Singapore’s maritime traffic grew, Johnston’s Pier could no longer keep up. Clifford Pier was then built nearby and opened in 1933. It became a vital hub for trade and passenger travel in an era before air travel transformed how we cross the seas. The red lamps moved with it, carrying forward not just a practical function, but also a familiar symbol of welcome.

4.        In 2004, the Singapore Government announced that Marina South Pier would take over Clifford Pier as the landing point. A new chapter began, and MSP was officially opened in June 2006. Twenty years on, it remains a key gateway to our Southern Islands and anchorages. I want to sincerely thank all our pioneers, tenants and partners who have kept MSP thriving through these two decades.

Three Exciting Developments

5.        Today, I am pleased to share three exciting developments that will shape MSP's next chapter.

6.        First, sustainability. Singapore has raised its climate ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Under the GreenGov.SG initiative, the public sector aims to get there around 2045, five years ahead. MPA is doing our part.

7.        MSP is our first facility to spearhead renewable energy generation, using high-efficiency solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels across the building's roof, glass canopies, and jetty linkway shelters. They are expected to generate as much electricity each year to power about 180 four-room HDB flats – enough to fully meet the electricity needs of MSP’s daily operations and common facilities.

8.        Second, on the infrastructure front, we will be conducting levelling works for the surface carpark and pick-up and drop-off area. To minimise inconvenience to visitors, an interim carpark opposite MSP will be built, and is expected to be ready by mid-2029. A new power substation will also be developed nearby to support the deployment of electric harbour craft chargers.

9.        We are also working with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority to enhance our sea checkpoints. The immigration hall at MSP will be reconfigured to support ICA’s Automated Border Control System (ABCS), which lets all travellers clear immigration through automated lanes without prior enrolment. Renovation works are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027, and we will work closely with all stakeholders to minimise disruptions.

10.        Third, we are exploring e-ticketing for ferry services to the Southern Islands. Long queues for physical tickets can be frustrating, and we want to make the boarding experience more seamless. We will engage pier tenants, run pilot tests, and work towards a paperless boarding experience. We look forward to your support as we take this initiative forward.

Broader Solarisation Plans

11.        Beyond MSP, we are also solarising Pulau Satumu, home to Raffles Lighthouse, Singapore's second oldest. While the lighthouse itself has been powered by solar energy since 1998, the other facilities still rely on diesel generators, consuming more than 90 tonnes of diesel a year.

12.        This will be replaced by a 600 kilowatt-peak (kWp) ground-mounted solar PV system, backed by a 5 megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System and a centralised Power Management System. By end-2027, Pulau Satumu will be fully energy self-sufficient, powered entirely by renewable electricity and no longer requiring diesel deliveries by bunker barge.

Issuance of New LNG Licences

13.        As we make MPA’s facilities greener, we are also supporting the maritime sector’s transition towards a resilient multi-fuel future. From 1 September 2026, MPA will issue eight new licences to supply liquefied natural gas, or LNG, as a marine fuel in the Port of Singapore. The three existing LNG licenses will expire by the end of the year. 

14.        These new licences will expand our LNG bunkering capacity and strengthen our ability to supply low carbon fuels from Singapore, such as liquefied bio-methane and e-methane.
  
Conclusion

15.        In closing, everything I have announced today points to one goal: a maritime Singapore that is committed to sustainability and resilience, and to providing greater convenience to our users and travellers. To get there, we will need to partner our industry and stakeholders to align infrastructure, regulations, capabilities and investment decisions. Together, we can accelerate the global maritime energy transition and contribute to a greener future.

16.        Thank you once again for being part of MSP's journey over the last 20 years. I look forward to what comes next.