Small Asian country that's building port the size of 3,000 football pitches
A small Asian nation is on track to overtake Shanghai with the world's largest port as it rolls out an ambitious £10billion infrastructure project.
Already underway and slated for completion by the 2040s, the new port in Singapore boasts green and smart technology, setting a new global standard.
Singapore's Tuas Mega Port, a monumental £10billion project, will eclipse Shanghai's current leading global port upon its completion. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) announced a capacity of handling 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Covering 1,337 hectares - equivalent to some 3,300 football pitches - and hosting 66 berths over 26 kilometres, it's poised to become the titan of shipping hubs.
"Tuas Port, together with Singapore's International Maritime Centre, will form a strong value proposition and ensure Maritime Singapore remains trusted, resilient, and ready for the future," says the MPA.
This groundbreaking initiative will unfold in four phases, with phase one culminating in 2021 after six years of construction, while the second phase progresses with additional berths already operational.
Following the full swing opening of Tuas Mega Port, Singapore plans to shut down its two older ports, pivoting towards a high-tech future with 1,000 battery-powered driverless vehicles and the same number of automated yard cranes to keep logistics running smoothly, reports the Express.
Plans are underway for the port to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with a shift towards sustainable technologies such as electrified equipment instead of fossil fuel-powered machinery.
The ambitious construction of this mega project has included deepening the surrounding seabed to accommodate future expansion.
After the first phase was completed, former Transport Minister for Singapore S.Iswaran said: "With more ships calling here (as a result of the larger capacity), Singapore will enjoy even stronger maritime connectivity. We can harness network effects to import and export more quickly and at a lower cost.
"As a global hub, Tuas Port will bring even more value to companies in our international maritime centre and create more jobs for our people."
Despite its modest size, Singapore is a powerhouse in Southeast Asia. The city-state covers an area of 284.1 square miles and boasts a population of nearly 6 million residents.
It ranks as the 176th largest country globally, a relatively small nation consisting of a main island and several smaller islets. Yet, it stands as the world's 4th wealthiest country, as per Global Finance.
Singapore may be one of the smallest countries, but it has the world's 30th largest economy, surpassing the economic performance of countries like Norway, Denmark, Hong Kong, South Africa, and New Zealand.
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