ST Engineering has officially opened its new state-of-the-art shipyard at 55 Gul Road, marking a strategic move to enhance its marine business capabilities. The Gul Yard, acquired for $95 million in February 2023, was inaugurated in a ceremony officiated by Mr. Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State and Deputy Secretary-General of Singapore National Trades Union Congress. Designed to replace the Tuas Yard, whose lease expires at the end of 2024, the new facility is set to maintain ST Engineering’s competitiveness in the ship repair market while expanding into new sectors.

Twice the size of the existing Tuas Yard, the Gul Yard is equipped to handle larger and more complex projects, reducing turnaround times and offering improved support for naval requirements. This expanded capacity positions ST Engineering to explore new market segments, including offshore renewables and support vessels for the oil and gas industry.

“The Gul Yard and the Benoi Yard will be integrated to create a seamless, unified network that will optimise project coordination, resource allocation, and capacity management,” said Mr. Tan Leong Peng, President, Marine, ST Engineering. The combined yards aim to unlock new opportunities, contributing to Singapore’s growth as a global leader in the maritime industry.

Leveraging Advanced Technology for Smart Yard Operations

The Gul Yard is a next-generation facility featuring 5G digital infrastructure and AI-powered technologies, with many innovations developed in-house. A proprietary integrated yard management system oversees operations, streamlining workflow management from planning to tracking milestones and predicting potential bottlenecks. Predictive maintenance and real-time condition-based monitoring further enhance the yard’s operational efficiency, minimizing unplanned downtime.

The yard’s focus on technology extends to workplace safety with ST Engineering’s AGIL Vision safety analytics, security robots, and drones inspecting hazardous areas. IoT-enabled devices, including smart watches and helmets, provide real-time updates on work progress and safety, underscoring the company’s commitment to a safe working environment.

Aligned with the growing emphasis on sustainability, the Gul Yard integrates eco-friendly practices, deploying electric-powered automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and buggies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. It also implements efficient scrap sorting and recycling processes to minimize waste, with plans to significantly cut carbon emissions by 2034 through renewable energy sources such as ammonia, hydrogen, biofuel, and solar power.

With new worker dormitories planned for completion by 2025, designed to enhance well-being and comfort, the Gul Yard represents ST Engineering’s comprehensive approach to modernizing shipyard operations while prioritizing safety, efficiency, and sustainability.