Singapore’s port operations will start shifting to the new development in Tuas in stages by 2030.
In line with that, both PSA Singapore (PSA) and the Singapore Port Workers Union (SPWU) have been working together to equip workers with the skills needed for the future highly automated port.
In a recent interview with NTUC This Week for SPWU’s 70th anniversary, its General Secretary Arasu Duraisamy said the fully automated Tuas port will be a new working environment for workers.
And the union has been engaging PSA management about the manpower deployment and expected Jobs at the new terminal.
“We, together with the management, are pushing for members to upgrade their skills so as to be ready for the new challenges in Tuas port,” said Mr Arasu .
Three union members from SPWU, working at the Pasir Panjang Terminals share their upskill journey.
Quick Crane Turnaround
Thirty minutes is all the time technicians at PSA have to fix a faulty crane and get it running, said 41-year-old Senior Technical Specialist Handerson Wong Yah Chong.
He has been handling cranes since 1991, and over the last two years, he has been upskilling himself to handle operations better at Pasir Panjang Terminal Five.
“I have been going for on-the-job training wherever necessary to familiarise myself with all the machines. At the same time, two and a half years ago, I decided to do my own self-study at the Singapore Polytechnic.
“I did a part time diploma in power engineering. Whatever I have learned in the course, I am able to make use of the skills in my work and I feel more competent,” said Mr Handerson.
He plans to take the advanced diploma course in power engineering in April 2017.
Locating Containers
Twenty-four years ago, Lee Yoon Fei, 54, would have had to use a hard copy to locate the containers on the wharf to load on to the vessel.
Fast forward to today, the container equipment specialist does the job through automation and computer technology.
“In the past ten years, after I was transferred to the Pasir Panjang Terminal, I have picked up new skills. With the help of simulators, we were taught how to handle the machines. We now have the overhead bridge crane. The crane will pick up the container and stack it automatically without us having to be present on the wharf. I was sent for a few courses and I have accepted the challenge and picked up the skills. Slowly I have adapted and learnt. I like my job,” said Mr Lee.
Paperless Loading
He is the first person on the wharf that a vessel’s ship officer comes in contact with before containers are loaded onto a ship.
Forty-eight year-old Haja Maidin Peer Mohamed is a boarding officer and ground operations controller with PSA since 1989.
He has acquired skills in placing of containers on board vessels.
"In the past we were using hard copies of the plan on where the containers had to be placed. Now we use android phones. Once the port’s ship planning department approves the layout of the containers, I can immediately download the plan and give it to the ship officer. I also went through a course which taught me about storage planning. This is very important because when loading containers on the vessel, we must ensure that the weight is balanced so as not to affect the stability of the vessel,” said Mr Haja Maidin.
Source: NTUC This Week
