Mr Osamu Hidaka, Managing Executive Officer, Penta-Ocean Construction Company Ltd, 

Distinguished Guests, 

Partners and colleagues, including those joining us virtually from Tuas Port,

Good afternoon.

Celebrating a Significant Milestone

1.    I am delighted to join you today to celebrate a significant milestone — the completion of the reclamation works for the Northern Berths of Tuas Port Phase 2, also known as Finger 3. 

2.    We completed the reclamation for Tuas Port Phase 1 in November 2021, during MPA’s 25th anniversary. This year, in our 30th anniversary year, we also mark the same milestone for the Northern Berths. This is a happy coincidence. 

3.    Although we are not physically at Tuas today, I am glad that we have a virtual connection that allows us to share this special occasion with our colleagues on site, because this achievement belongs to everyone who has contributed to the project.

4.    I have visited Tuas Port several times since joining MPA. Each time, I have been struck by the sheer scale of the development and the engineering behind it. 

a.       When reclamation works began in March 2018, this area was open sea. Today, more than eight years later, it forms part of the foundation for Singapore's next-generation port. 

b.       In time, the Northern Berths will add to the capacity of Tuas Port Phase 1, where 14 berths are currently operational. 

c.       This transformation reflects years of meticulous planning, engineering ingenuity, perseverance and teamwork. Well done and congratulations to the entire team! 

Building Singapore's Maritime Future

5.    Tuas Port is one of Singapore's most important long-term investments in our maritime future. When fully developed across four phases in the 2040s, it will have the capacity to handle 65 million TEUs annually. Phase 2 alone will provide 21 deep-water berths, significantly strengthening our container handling capacity.

6.    But the significance of Tuas Port goes beyond its scale. By consolidating container operations and harnessing automation, digitalisation and advanced technologies, we are building a port that will reinforce Singapore's position as a leading global transshipment hub. At a time of growing uncertainty in global trade and supply chains, Tuas Port represents our commitment to remain connected, competitive and resilient for generations to come.

7.    Before this vision can be realised, we must first build the foundations to support it. That is what today's milestone delivers. With reclamation of the Northern Berths complete, PSA can now press ahead with building the terminal and help turn Singapore's long-term maritime ambitions into reality.

Engineering Excellence and Innovation

8.    As many of you know first-hand, delivering infrastructure of this scale is no ordinary undertaking. The project involved extensive seawall construction, reclamation, ground improvement and the installation of massive concrete caissons. These structures had to be transported and positioned with exceptional precision, while accounting for tides, weather and marine traffic. And all of this had to be carefully sequenced, so that completed areas could be handed over to PSA in stages.

9.    Beyond the technical complexities, our teams had to balance construction progress, environmental considerations, maritime safety and long-term infrastructure performance. There were no simple answers to many of these challenges. Progress depended on people from different organisations bringing their expertise together, exercising sound judgement and adapting as conditions changed.

10.    For MPA, Tuas Port is also an investment in our institutional capabilities. It has strengthened our ability to integrate complex engineering disciplines, manage critical interfaces and deliver major infrastructure projects in partnership with industry. These capabilities will be invaluable as we continue developing Singapore's maritime infrastructure for the long term.

11.    Equally important is our responsibility to build sustainably. As part of the wider Tuas Port development, corals were relocated around Sultan Shoal to help protect marine biodiversity. We also trialed biodegradable prefabricated vertical drains to improve the ground, as an alternative to conventional plastic drains that remain buried. These are practical efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our work. They also show that engineering excellence and environmental responsibility can, and must, go hand in hand. 

The People Behind the Achievement

12.    Above all, today is about the people behind this achievement. The Northern Berths project involved more than 24 million man-hours and over 197 companies. Behind these figures are thousands of individuals — engineers, marine crews, supervisors, contractors, consultants and workers, each contributing to a shared goal.

13.    The journey has not been easy. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, including work suspensions, manpower shortages and supply-chain disruptions. Our contractors, consultants and project teams had to adapt quickly, reorganise their operations and find ways to sustain progress safely amid considerable uncertainty.

14.     Throughout these challenges, what stood out was the resilience, commitment and spirit of partnership demonstrated by everyone involved. Many worked tirelessly behind the scenes, putting in extended hours to resolve site issues, coordinate inspections and bring the works to completion. Many contributions may not be visible in the finished structures, but they are fundamental to what we are celebrating today.

Appreciation and Looking Ahead

15.    I therefore want to express my sincere appreciation to our consultant, Surbana Jurong; our main contractor, Penta-Ocean, Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Boskalis Joint Venture; and the many specialist contractors, suppliers and service providers who have contributed to this milestone.

16.    My thanks also go to the Ministry of Transport, our fellow government agencies and PSA for their continued support and collaboration. To everyone who worked onsite, including those joining us virtually from Tuas Port, thank you for your dedication, professionalism and perseverance.

17.    Our next task is to build on this achievement as work continues on the Southern Berths. We must carry forward the lessons gained, strengthen our engineering and project delivery capabilities, and continue finding safer, smarter and more sustainable ways to build. Each milestone should leave us not only with stronger infrastructure, but also with stronger capabilities and partnerships.

18.    Today, let us celebrate that contribution and the people who made it possible. Then let us bring the same care, determination and teamwork into the next phase of our journey.

19.    Congratulations to everyone involved in the successful completion of the Northern Berths reclamation works for Tuas Port Phase 2.

20.    Thank you, and I wish everyone an enjoyable afternoon.