Singapore state-owned telco Singtel and equipment vendor Ericsson have partnered to deploy 5G advanced connectivity solutions at Tuas Port in Singapore, in support of PSA Singapore’s plans to build the world’s largest fully automated port by the 2040s.
PSA Singapore is one of the flagship terminals of PSA International, a global port group with a network that includes 179 locations in 45 countries.
Under the agreement, existing automated vehicles deployed at the port, such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) will be upgraded to 5G to enhance real-time shipment tracking and further streamline crane operations to enable seamless transportation of cargo from berth to ships and vice versa.
Singtel will activate a network slice from its 5G network to provide the dedicated resources, like high speeds, high bandwidth, and low latency, needed for mission-critical applications.
The telco will also create secure private networks tailored to the port’s specific security needs, to help mitigate the risk of data breaches and unauthorised access.
According to the partners companies, 5G will be an enabler for PSA to achieve an annual handling capacity of 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), almost double current demand, when Tuas Port is fully completed.
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Ng Tian Chong, CEO Singtel Singapore, said 5G’s high speeds and low latency help to improve real-time communication and data transfer which enables highly efficient port operations.
"With network slicing, these capabilities are augmented with increased security features and higher performance assurance," Chong said.
"As a homegrown technology company, we are proud to help PSA scale its operations, boost trade in the region, and further strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading port globally.”
Nelson Quek, Regional CEO, Southeast Asia at PSA International said PSA continuously seeks and embraces cutting-edge technologies to advance its port operations.
"We are pleased to be working with Singtel and Ericsson to deploy a 5G network at Tuas Port to support our growing fleet of Automated Guided Vehicles," Quek said.
"Leveraging 5G’s rapid data transmission and connectivity capabilities, PSA aims to further streamline operations and optimise resource utilisation through real-time monitoring, enabling us to respond agilely to the evolving needs of our customers and stakeholders.”
Over the next three years, PSA will also be exploring 5G applications in areas such as predictive maintenance, which involves drone-based surveillance and extended reality applications, to detect potential issues early and pre-empt equipment failure.
The partners say that from 2025, guided by Singtel’s 5G network slicing capabilities, the PSA’s driverless AGVs will be capable of independently transporting containers, thereby optimising yard operations and reducing labour costs.