A study on stevedoring companies and their operations in Singapore : container shipping segment

• Main Author: Tan, Benny Chuan Kiat
• Other Authors: Kenneth Tan Siah Ann
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Maritime studies::Maritime management and business
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/75660
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Singapore is known to the world for being busy. From having the world’s 2nd busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage to being the top busiest transshipment port, the Port of Singapore’s container operations has given us global recognition. However, beyond the high container throughput volumes, gigantic vessels and long quay cranes, what is often overlooked is a specific group of people who have made all of Singapore’s maritime successes possible. These are the stevedores. Very little is known about stevedoring companies and the stevedores who work around the clock to ensure smooth container operations. As such, this paper aims to study the development of stevedoring operations in the container shipping segment in Singapore over time and to assess the relevance of Container stevedores in an era of rapidly advancing technology. This paper also aims to promote a better understanding of container stevedoring operations through an in-depth analysis based on the following 5 principal factors: 1. Operations 2. Welfare and Safety Aspects 3. Technology 4. Education and Skills Requirement 5. Demographic. Through this analysis, it is concluded that container stevedores are essential to the completion of container shipping operations. Although current operations of container stevedores are largely physically intensive, it is expected that new technologies and automation will bring about reduction in the need for physical labour. However, no matter the degree of automation, manpower will still be required to operate and oversee the container operations. As such, Container stevedores will remain crucial to container shipping operations.