Rival ports 'fast catching up': SM Lee warns against complacency, says port workers must not face shift alone

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong cautioned against complacency regarding Singapore's port, warning that rival ports are fast catching up and may even surpass Singapore. At a dinner celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Singapore Port Workers Union, Lee emphasized the need for technological transformation, stressing that workers should not be left to face challenges alone.

He highlighted PSA's success in adopting technology and upgrading operations, but acknowledged that other regional ports are also making progress in digitalization and automation.

Lee pointed out that Singapore's port history over the past six decades appears as a series of successes, but those who have contributed to these achievements are aware of the hard work, difficult decisions, and transformations required. Examples include the shift from manual cargo loading and unloading to using quayside and yard cranes, and later to remote-controlled cranes.

In the container yard, workers now utilize automated guided vehicles (AGVs) instead of manually hauling containers. Each change required workers to be retrained, showcasing PSA's commitment to restructuring and upskilling the workforce through collaborative efforts between management and unions.

While PSA has faced painful decisions, such as retrenchments and wage cuts due to losing major shipping customers to Malaysia's Port of Tanjung Pelepas in the early 2000s, the company ensured that the process was fair to affected workers. PSA has also rewarded workers for their contributions through special gain-sharing payouts, acknowledging their role in the company's success.

Lee emphasized that strong cooperation between management and the unions, demonstrated through various challenges and transformations, has been crucial in building trust and sustaining PSA's success. He contrasted this approach with that of some other port worker unions, which resist technological advancements and progress, leading to the decline of their ports and members.

Lee also noted that the industry is undergoing significant changes due to factors like supply chain disruptions, climate change, geopolitical tensions, and the adoption of green fuels, artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, sensors, and robotics. These changes present both challenges and opportunities for port operators and port workers alike.