Singapore’s first – and the world’s largest – fully automated terminal, Tuas Port, opened late last week. The Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, was the guest of honour.
Ocean carrier, Pacific International Lines (PIL), was honoured to have its flagship vessel, the Kota Cabar, participate in the main proceedings as part of the live automated wharf operations showcase. Kota Cabar was the only ship to participate in the showcase.
PIL’s executive chairman, S.S. Teo, and the company CEO, Lars Kastrup, provided the following statement:
“We are pleased that the ceremony was a great success, and our vessel Kota Cabar, with Master Capt Zhang Shengma and Chief Engineer Lai Lixin, did PIL proud by cooperating well with PSA, the operator of Tuas Port, to deliver an outstanding live performance. Capt Zhang joined in the ceremony, and a few of us went on board Kota Cabar to meet with the rest of the crew. They were all excited and happy to participate in this key event.
“Our teams in Singapore, led by Chung Hun from Fleet and Abhishek from Operations and Procurement, also did a great job dressing up Kota Cabar and ensuring her timely arrival at Tuas Port.
“Importantly, our participation in this milestone event reflects the strong partnership between PSA, the leading port group of the world, and PIL as Singapore’s leading home-grown shipping line.
“As PIL celebrates our 55th anniversary this year, we are reminded of how privileged we are, to be able to capitalise on Singapore’s strengths as a world class port, transhipment hub and International Maritime Centre.
“Tuas Port is set to be the crown jewel and pride of the Singapore maritime industry, as it will have a handling capacity of 65 million TEUs, almost double the current capacity, when it is fully completed in the 2040s.
‘As Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) said recently, Tuas Port, together with Singapore’s International Maritime Centre, would form a strong value proposition and ensure Maritime Singapore remains trusted, resilient, and ready for the future.
“PIL is committed to play our part in this future envisioned by Singapore, and we look forward to continue to work closely with PSA to contribute to Maritime Singapore”.
