"SINGA Port" gets grand prize at Singapore Maritime Week
The winner of the US$1 million grand prize was announced at the Singapore International Maritime Awards 2013 during Singapore Maritime Week, said in the MPA's press release.
Coming out top and walking away with the US$1 million grand prize was the team from National University of Singapore (NUS), Shanghai Maritime University (ShMU) and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC). The team's proposal of "SINGA Port" impressed the judging panel with its ability to achieve high throughput and high land and labour productivity in line with the stretched goals and targets of the Challenge.
Representatives from the winning team received their prize from Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport, this evening.
A spokesperson for the winning team said "The innovative double-storey container port concept, named the SINGA (Sustainable Integrated Next Generation Advanced) port, was made possible through the synergistic and team effort of NUS, ShMU and ZPMC. The team, which includes leading researchers and highly experienced practitioners, was able to generate innovative ideas that are achievable, namely a port concept that promises high productivity and throughput, through the integration of the unique features of a double-storey structure with the latest technologies."
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) jointly organised the NGCP Challenge to encourage participants from all over the world to submit innovative proposals and ideas on how to plan, design and operate the next generation of container ports that exemplify performance, productivity and sustainability.
The NGCP Challenge was launched at Singapore Maritime Week in April 2012 and closed on 31 December 2012. 56 submissions from 25 countries were received for the Challenge. Seven submissions were shortlisted from this pool and the shortlisted teams presented their proposals to the judging panel, comprising representatives from Singapore government agencies and the maritime industry (Annex A), on 5 April 2013. The shortlisted concepts were also on display at the Sea Asia conference and exhibition from 9 to 11 April 2013.
Up to S$5 million has also been set aside for further research and development of various worthy concepts arising from the Challenge.
