THE FUTURE PORT

$1m contest to design new-age port launched 

A long-awaited contest with a US$1 million top prize to design a new-age container port was unveiled yesterday, reported Straits Times.

The Next Generation Container Port Challenge, as the competition is called, had been flagged last October, sparking about 70 expressions of interest from more than 10 countries.

The heightened level of interest was apparent at the official launch yesterday at the Mandarin Oriental Singapore.

“This challenge dares participants to play the role of a port planner and submit revolutionary designs that can achieve a quantum leap in innovation, efficiency, productivity and sustainability for container ports,’’ said M. Segar, assistant chief executive (operations) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), a co-organiser alongside the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI).

He noted that the fundamental design of container ports have not changed much since they were introduced about 40 years ago.

But global container traffic has been growing at an annual rate of five to seven percent over the past decade, leading some experts to estimate that this could lead to a doubling of global container trade within 10 to 15 years. Planners also have to take into account increasingly large container ships, economic volatility and environmental concerns.

“Given the long gestation period for port development, this means that ports have to start making plans today to accommodate tomorrow's growth in container volumes,’’ said Segar.

Participants in the contest will have to consider several operating specifications, such as an annual handling capacity of at least 20 million TEUs, round-the-clock operations and a 90 per cent berth on arrival for ships.

Individuals, companies or research institutions, based here or overseas, can take part. Consortiums can also be formed.

The winning team will get a US$1 million cash prize and there can be up to six extra commendation awards of $100,000.

Grants of $5 million have been set aside for deserving teams to pursue further research. The winning proposal will be announced at next year's Singapore Maritime Week.

Details of the contest can be found on the SMI's website.
Some observers said the port challenge could throw up ideas for a new port development in Tuas.

The land lease at the port terminals in Tanjong Pagar, Keppel and Pulau Brani expires in 2027, and the Government's Economic Strategies Committee has recommended the development of a new waterfront city in Tanjong Pagar after that.

It also suggested looking into a long-term proposal to develop a consolidated port in Tuas, with enough handling capacity to ensure ongoing competitiveness.

One likely entrant is Halcrow, a London-based infrastructure consultant that is a unit of conglomerate CH2M Hill.

Julian Johanson-Brown, director of ports and maritime at Halcrow, flew into Singapore just to attend the official launch.
“When I first saw the challenge in London, I just couldn't stop thinking about it,’’ he said. “You get caught in the day job, you think about providing solutions for your current clients, and there's often little time to really explore this kind of opportunity.’’