Singapore: 40 years of dredging in a sensitive environment
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XVII: "Dredging in a Sensitive Environment" - 2004, Hamburg, Germany
Authors:
Weidong Sun and Neville Burt
Abstract: Since its establishment in 1965 Singapore has carried out extensive dredging and reclamation works.
The paper reviews 40 years of dredging activity in Singapore and earlier reclamation in that region. The areas reviewed include the coastal area, offshore islands and estuaries. The types of dredging activity include land reclamation, port construction, regular maintenance of navigation channels, beach nourishment, pipeline laying, sand mining and disposal of dredged material. The major land reclamation projects, which in total have increased the size of Singapore territory by 16%, are presented. Among them are several of the world's biggest land reclamation projects:
· South-east Coast Reclamation;
· Changi Reclamation;
· Jurong Island and Tuas View Reclamation;
· Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong Reclamation;
· Pasir Panjang Terminal Extension.
Information is given concerning the purpose, cost, date, duration, geological conditions, dredging works, fill material and borrow areas, disposal methods, and the client and contractors of each project.
A forward look is taken concerning plans for further substantial reclamation works.
The review includes environmental aspects of the dredging such as turbidity, pollution, coral reefs, benthic flora a fauna and fish. Where appropriate, protection measures taken are described.
Finally, the review presents some of the political problems, particularly concerning the disputes between Singapore and its neighbouring countries Malaysia and Indonesia on land reclamation, sand mining and disposal of dredged material. The issues include interference with navigation, fishing, beach erosion, damage to coral reefs and dumping of toxic material.
Keywords: Dredging, land reclamation, sand mining, spoil dumping, environment, coral reef