Jurong Island was created by burying seven separate islands: Pulau Merlimau, Pulau Ayer Chawan, Pulau Ayer Merbau, Pulau Seraya, Pulau Sakra, Pulau Pesek and Pulau Pesek Kecil.
This increased the 991ha of original land to 3,000ha over 15 years. Reclamation began in 1995 and was targeted for completion in 2030. But reclamation was speeded up as demand for land on Jurong Island exceeded expectations.
"Singapore had not allowed the disruption to the import of sea sand to delay the reclamation plans, instead using alternative sources of sand supply and exploring other ways to meet the need." said Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang.
The Minister also said "the plan is to position the island as the industrial development model of the future – coupling world-class competitiveness with sustainable and responsible development growth."
Jurong Island now has more than 90 global petrochemical companies that have invested over $31 billion. These companies make up 80% of Singapore's energy and chemicals industry. The petrochemicals industry contributed 5.3 per cent of the value added to gross domestic product last year.
The economic downturn had forced some companies to postpone projects on Jurong Island.
Planned construction works at Jurong Island
Second road link which could be completed by 2017.
A barging terminal for hazardous materials: The first phase of the project will be ready by 2011.
Jurong Rock Cavern: To store liquid hydrocarbons such as crude oil, condensate, naphtha and gasoil. The project will free about 60 hectares of surface land. The S$890 million first phase was launched this year. By the first half of 2013, there will be two caverns providing 480,000 cu metres of storage. And by 2014, there will be five caverns offering 1.47 million cu m of storage in all. The cavern will be more than 100 metres below the seabed.
Very large floating structures (VLFS): To store oil. Phase 1 studies, completed in late 2007, showed such floating storage to be technically feasible and comparable in cost to land-based oil storage. JTC will decide whether to build the VLFS depending on the outcome of the Phase 2 study which will be completed next March. Phase 2 covers possible sites, environmental impact, engineering design, business model and security of the VLFS. Each VLFS would store as much oil as a very large crude carrier (VLCC).
The site study was to conduct initial screening of available water space followed by detailed screening, ranking the sites based on usage constraints. The study will cover anchorage and navigation areas, pipeline and cable routes, wave height, wind speed, coral reefs, mangrove stands, recreational areas and aquaculture facilities.
A VLFS would comprise two rectangular modules, each measuring 180m by 80m by 15m and with 150,000 cu m of storage capacity. Preliminary cost estimates are at least $180 million, comparable to the cost of onshore storage.
Related posts
More links
- Jurong Island by Cheang, Chee Yew, 2001, National Library Board Singapore on Infopedia.
- JTC Corporation website
Media reports
- Jurong Island weighs options as land runs out Ronnie Lim, Business Times 1 Oct 09;
- Singapore Completes Jurong Island's Reclamation various sources 25 Sep 09;
- Jurong Rock Cavern ready by 2013 Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 17 Apr 09;
- Hard work ahead at Jurong cavern Business Times 7 Jul 09;
- Need for floating oil storage in Singapore gets more pressing Ronnie Lim, Business Times 17 Feb 09;
- Singapore looks set to build floating oil storage Ronnie Lim Business Times 3 Oct 07
- Under study - storing oil out at sea Ronnie Lim Business Times 17 Jul 07
