DECEMBER 2018
www.endeavourmagazine.com
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Singapore Digging Deeper INSPIRED BY YOUR SUCCESS
WWW.STECS.COM.SG // 65 6392 0060
www.littlegatepublishing.com
presents
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE
DIGGING DEEPER Singapore’s city-state island is a booming metropolis, heaving with industrial development as far as you can see. Of course, whatever goes up must come down, and no vibrant, jam-packed urban landscape can exist without its underground counterpart. A labyrinth of basements, pipeworks and tunnels snakes under Singapore, making any underground works highly challenging to carry out: that’s where experts like STEC come in. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE
Established in 1996, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co
(Singapore) Pte Ltd (“STEC”) is a leading civil engineering and construction firm in Singapore. In particular, they focus on underground works, constructing train stations and their connecting tunnels, as well as working on sewage, underground demolition and other careful, subterranean contracts. We revisited STEC Managing Director Khor Eng Leong to catch up on their current projects.
“S
TEC started off a subcontractor in one of the Land Transport Authority (“LTA”) North-East Line projects and
Our Humble Beginnings…since 1972 With history dating back to more than a quarter of a century, we are continuously looking to the future while constantly keeping tuned to the market changes in terms of products and customers’ needs.
has never looked back since,” Khor reminded us. “Over
the years, we have been trusted by our clients to construct many of the major civil projects in Singapore.” “Today, we have successfully undertaken and completed
We are recognised as a highly reliable and well-stocked hardware supplier in industries ranging from aerospace, marine and shipbuilding, engineering and construction, petroleum and offshore, as well as government and Statutory boards, with a vast and diversified network in Singapore.
projects for LTA, Public Utilities Board (“PUB”) and Marina Bay
We boast of a truly comprehensive stock and product range:
technical capabilities and competencies in handling and delivering
Hardware Consumables: Gloves, Trash bags, Brooms, Tapes, Plastic and Canvas sheets • General Hardware: Adhesives, Sealants, Safety and Welding, Abrasives, hoses & couplings, ladders • Marine Hardware: Wire ropes, Nylon Ropes, Tiger Ropes, Chins, Blocks, Hoists • Power & Air Tools: Makita, Bosch, Hitachi, Toku, Fuji, Nitto Kohki • Machineries: Pumps, Vibrators, Ventilation Fans, Blowers, Air Compressors • Hand Tools: Elora, Ridgid, Stanley as well as Japanese and China makes
7 Woodlands Terrace Singapore 738432 Tel: 65 6748 4211 / 6748 7121 Fax: 65 6747 8026 / 6743 5460 / 6369 1937 Email: rashidah@unique.com.sg Web: www.unique.com.sg
Sands (“MBS”). Our involvement in all the major LTA Mass Rapid Transit (“MRT”) lines, from North-East Line to the current ThomsonEast Coast Line, is a testament of our client’s confidence in our large infrastructure projects.” The company has had great success working in the utilities and infrastructure sectors; their current slate involves work for the Public Utilities Board and a whole range of contracts for the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Their contract with the Public Utilities Board involves the design and construction of a tunnel network for a deep tunnel sewerage system, including a 6km South Main Sewerage Tunnel, a 5.5km South Linkway Sewerage Tunnel and fifteen working shafts, as well as two 3.0m diameter slurry TBMs and three 3.3m diameter slurry TBMs. This huge undertaking represents a contract value of S$472.17 million, and is yet another opportunity for STEC to put their expert knowledge of Singapore’s underground challenges to the test.
Established in 1979 by Founder and Chairman
With the legacy of Chin Yuan Metal well in
Mr. Lim Sen, Chin Yuan Metal Pte Ltd has
place, our Executive Director Ms. Dolly Lim
established itself as one of the leading bolts
embarked on a bold move to pursue and
& nuts manufacturer within the region. Its
expand the business into steel fabrication.
humble beginnings from a trading house to
This decision 8 years ago created a synergistic
presently a full fledge manufacturing facility
approach in our business model.
catapulted the brand name of ‘’CYM” to many
Today, all our fabricated and installed steel
in the Oil & Gas, Construction, Marine and
structures are paired with “CYM” bolts and
Tunnel industries. Not contented, the business
nuts to further strengthen our position in the
expanded with an in house coating facility
market. This is in line with our customer-
to provide coating services such as PTFE
centric approach, providing our clients with a
(Fluorocarbon), Zinc Flake (Zinc Aluminium),
total end to end solution from material supply,
Cadmium, Zinc Electroplating and Cadmium.
manufacturing to on site installation. We strive
Mr. Lim Sen’s keen eye to details and always
to be structurally sound and continuously
wanting to explore for new possibilities are
committed
the key ingredients to the company’s success
stones of every successful project here at
story today.
Chin Yuan Metal.
as
these
are
the
corner-
Our Vision To play a key role in building Singapore and the Southeast Asian region Our Mission To combine our know-how and determination, and provide solutions for our customers Our Values Customer Focus: Demonstrating Excellence, Quality & Reliability People Focus: Having Integrity, Passion & Compassion Solutions Focus: Being Collaborative, Resourceful & Agile
STRUCTURAL STEELWORKS
BOLTS & NUTS
COATING SYSTEMS
PIPE ACCESSORIES
TUNNEL & RAIL SYSTEMS
CHIN YUAN METAL Specialist builder of structural steelworks | Leading manufacturer of bolts, nuts, and tunnel & rail systems www.chinyuanmetal.com | 18 Tuas Street, Singapore 638455 Tel: 6265 0550 | Fax: 6262 0550 | Email: sales@chinyuanmetal.com
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE Most of their current work, however, is with Singapore Land
do. Shenton Way Station will be built at a depth of 42m, with two
Transport Authority, in particular, the Thomson-East Coast Line.
adjacent stacked bored tunnels totalling 2.26km built to connect
The company currently has four major contracts with the LTA,
Maxwell Station to Marina Bay Station. Also included in the same
including one that carries particular complications. Rising to
agreement is the demolition of the iconic Golden Bridge currently
these complications, the project has allowed STEC to showcase
standing at Shenton Way. The build will take place on reclaimed
some of its latest in technological innovations. In total, these four
land, originally the Telok Ayer Basin in the 1950s, meaning extensive
contracts represent a value of S$1.379 billion (over US$1billion).
ground improvement works have been required to ensure that the
The first, worth S$421.58 million, is to design and build 6.15km
build will be safe, as well as bored piling work. As Khor explained,
of bored tunnels extending from Woodlands Station towards
“The greatest challenge was the high-risk mining works that under-
Woodlands South Station, and between Woodlands South Station
crossed the ‘live’ East-West Line Tunnels, which sit a mere 3.5m
to Sembawang Airbase. Another, worth S$293.45 million, is to
above the T225 tunnel. In addition, we also tunnelled beneath a
construct Katong Park Station and twin bored tunnels to connect
series of historic pre-war houses located within URA conservation
between the adjacent Tanjong Rhu Station and Amber Station,
district.” Even the demolition of the Golden Bridge itself was a huge
as well as two cross passages. Meanwhile, in collaboration with
health and safety undertaking; the feet took a year and a half to
another prominent civil contractor, they have also been appointed
plan, and took place during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays
to construct the future Bayshore Station, including an additional
in 2015.
1.7km of connecting tunnels. This contract not only includes the
Due to these safety concerns and structural obstacles, the
stations’ five entrances and their connecting tunnels, but also
S$368.16 million contract has called a range of safety innovations
requires the construction of an escape shaft, near to Bedok South
into play: “T225 supports and fully endorses the National Workplace
Avenue 1. Overall, this contract represents S$295.86 million.
Safety and Health Campaign’s ‘Vision Zero’ movement, with the
However, it is another contract – contract T225, for the Shenton
message ‘Prevent all injuries. Go home safe and healthy’, as well
Way Station - that is truly pushing the company to show what it can
as LTA’s ‘Zero Accident Movement’.” One of the most innovative
solutions that have been applied to the projects has been the use of virtual reality (“VR”). As Khor explained, “Virtual reality has added a new dimension to workplace safety training. This technology created simulations of high risk and common accident-prone activities in a 3D interactive environment, instilling the workers with the dangers of failing to adhere to good safe practice.” As well as using VR to really drive the message home, STEC also trained and prepared their staff with animations and safety videos at the T225 training centre. Meanwhile, when it comes to the work itself, T225 has applied the use of drones to mitigate the risk of accidents and injuries by allowing views of the worksite not possible for personnel to navigate and access. Oscilloscope sensors were also installed at the tunnel boring machine cutter head, which STEC used to detect metal obstructions that may have otherwise caused any unplanned downtime while they were under-crossing 23 fragile premises. Photo beam sensors were introduced to provide real-time monitoring and alarms as the Station diaphragm walls were only one meter away from the glass façade of the adjacent development to prevent machinery straying beyond the work boundaries. Finally, in-cabin camera systems monitor the activity of excavators and
BUY - RENT - LEASE
- POWER & DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS - HV & LV SWITCHGEARS - LV BUSBAR SYSTEM - PACKAGED SUBASTATIONS - CONTAINERIZED EQUIPMENT ROOM - TEMPORARY POWER SUPPLY - OTHER ELECTRICAL PACKAGED SYSTEMS
YOUR PARTNER FOR ALL PERMANENT & TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY. EMAIL: SALES@BULOXPOWER.COM
TEL: +65 6455 4111
WWW.BULOXPOWER.COM
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE gantry cranes to encourage safe behaviour through promoting
Authority Annual Safety Award Convention (“ASAC”) Challenge
accountability.
Shield for the same three years. On top of this, they were awarded
This range of features shows that safety lies in two areas: technical accuracy, and human effort. Through training staff, raising
the Best Theme Presentation award twice, and went on to win the ASAC Champion Shield in both 2017 and 2018.
their awareness and monitoring their work, STEC has produced
Whilst awards and accolades are appreciated, and even though
staff that are both equipped and motivated to operate to the
this recognition has been well-earned, they are not the goal for
highest safety standards. This is essential to STEC, who, given the
STEC: for the company, the purpose of their safety standards is not
highly skilled and dangerous nature of their work, place a strong
to receive praise, but to protect its employees and the projects of
importance on promoting safety at work: “Other than our successful
its clients. Achieving this goal is the greatest reward the company
track records, we are a company with a strong Workplace Safety,
can receive, and the greatest claim for it to take pride in; through
Health & Environment (WSHE) culture. Our many WSHE initiatives
the efforts of its safety culture, both the organisation itself and
and continual improvements form the cornerstone of this culture
its subcontractors have successfully maintained a rate of zero
and a foundation of WSHE success.”
major WSHE statistics, as well as 5.8 million accident-free worker
Thanks to these various efforts to encourage safety and a sound
hours. When dealing with work as full of risk and complication as
working environment, the T225 project has received numerous
underground construction, the ability to make this claim makes
awards, particularly over the past three years: they have received
STEC a highly attractive company to work with. Continuing to place
the Safety and Health Recognition Award for Projects (“SHARP”),
their emphasis here will continue to not only safeguard their staff
presented by Work Place Safety and Health Council in collaboration
and the projects they are undertaking, but it will also safeguard
with the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”), in three consecutive
their reputation and continue to promote them as one of the
wins from 2016 to 2018, and they also won the Land Transport
leading contractors in their region – a testament to the importance
Authority Construction Safety & Environmental Awards for the
of working responsibly and well, no matter the cost.
past three years, as well as being finalists for the Land Transport
Specialists in: • • • • • •
Civil Engineering Cement Grouting Concrete Repair Pressure Grouting Epoxy Resin Injection Leakages/Seepage & Dampness
53 Ubi Avenue 1 #03-05 Paya Ubi Ind. Park Singapore 408934 Tel: 6284 7977 Fax: 6284 5258 Email: admin@crt-engineering.com BCA Members
SLOTS No. 04/2922
INTEGROUS. RELIABLE. COMPETITIVE. INNOVATIVE.
Specializing in all metal fabrication, structural and architectural metal works with integrity, reliability, competiveness and innovation 31 Gul Drive, Singapore 629479 Tel: 6863-0606, Fax: 6863-4863 E-mail: omnimetal@omnimetalgroup.com