Singapore Ports: From River Trade to Smart Automation

How 200 years of transformation shaped the world’s most advanced port—and how VEM powers it.

Singapore’s rise as a global maritime hub is a story rooted in resilience, foresight, and innovation. What began as a modest trading post along the Singapore River in 1819 has evolved into one of the world’s busiest and smartest ports—connecting more than 600 ports in over 120 countries. This transformation was not just about scale, but about embracing change: from manual labor to automation, and from wooden boats to autonomous vehicles.

Today, as the Tuas Mega Port nears completion, Singapore once again stands at the forefront of smart, connected, and sustainable port logistics. And powering this new era behind the scenes are industrial technologies like VEM motors, designed for high-performance in marine and port applications.

A Maritime Legacy: 1819 to the 1970s

The foundation of modern Singapore was laid in 1819, when Sir Stamford Raffles established it as a free port. Located strategically along key maritime routes, Singapore quickly became a bustling hub where tongkangs and bumboats ferried goods along the Singapore River.

In the early days, the port served as a transshipment point, attracting traders from China, India, and beyond. Over time, shipping infrastructure expanded to meet growing global demand.

One of the most pivotal moments came in 1972, when Singapore launched its first container terminal at Tanjong Pagar, embracing the global shift toward containerized cargo. This marked Singapore’s entry into the era of modern logistics, setting the stage for further growth through Pasir Panjang Terminal and eventually Tuas.

From Cranes to Code: The Smart Port of Tuas 2025

Fast forward to 2025, and Tuas Mega Port stands as a symbol of Singapore’s long-term maritime vision—consolidating operations, enhancing efficiency, and driving sustainable growth at an unprecedented scale.

Built in phases since 2015 and set for full completion by the 2040s, Tuas Mega Port will eventually handle up to 65 million TEUs annually, making it the world’s largest fully automated port when fully operational. But even in its current state, the numbers are already staggering.

2024 Port Performance Snapshot:

• 41.12 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) handled
• 622.67 million tonnes of cargo throughput
• Ranked among the top global ports by container traffic

What enables this capacity isn't just physical scale—it’s smart engineering. The Tuas port integrates cutting-edge technology, digitally optimized operations, and low-emission infrastructure, all designed to support Singapore’s ambitions as a global trade and logistics hub for the digital age.

Key Technological Features at Tuas:

🛳️ 11 Deep-Water Berths

• Each berth is designed to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels, including Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCS).
• Future phases will increase berth count to over 20.

🤖 1,000+ Electric Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

• Fully electric and driverless, these AGVs move containers from quay to yard without human intervention.
• Powered by renewable energy, they drastically cut emissions compared to diesel alternatives.
• Each AGV is equipped with LiDAR, GPS, and advanced sensors for real-time navigation and collision avoidance.

🧠 AI-Driven Crane & Yard Systems

• Automated quay cranes and yard cranes use AI for precision lifting, stacking, and container placement.
• AI algorithms optimize storage planning, reduce idle time, and improve operational throughput.
• Cranes are integrated with a central Terminal Operating System (TOS), enabling coordinated workflows across the entire port.

🌐 Real-Time Digital Twin and Analytics

• The entire port is mirrored as a digital twin—a real-time virtual simulation that enables predictive maintenance, route optimization, and faster decision-making.
• Port managers can track cargo flows, machinery health, and weather patterns on a central dashboard—minimizing disruption and improving safety.

Sustainability at the Core

Tuas isn’t just about automation—it’s also Singapore’s bold step toward greener logistics. Every design element is built with the environment in mind:

• Electric AGVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, supporting Singapore’s national decarbonization targets.
• Smart energy management systems monitor and optimize power usage across cranes, AGVs, and buildings.
• Waste heat recovery and energy-efficient lighting reduce overall carbon footprint.
• Green building certifications have been integrated into Tuas’ planning and construction phases.

By consolidating all container operations into a single mega hub, Tuas eliminates the need to shuttle cargo between ports, reducing inter-terminal trucking and emissions significantly.

What Makes Tuas Different?

Unlike many older ports that retrofit technology into existing layouts, Tuas was designed from the ground up to be smart-first and sustainable-first. It's not just a terminal—it's a blueprint for the next generation of global ports.

From cranes to code, Tuas Mega Port is more than a maritime marvel—it’s a living, evolving example of how data, automation, and engineering excellence can come together to move global trade into a cleaner, faster, and smarter future.

Powering the Ports of Tomorrow with VEM

The evolution of port infrastructure is a story of bold innovation—shifting from traditional river trade to fully automated, connected logistics hubs. Today’s ports are transforming rapidly, driven by the integration of electric drive systems, AI technologies, and IoT-enabled operations that prioritize sustainability, safety, and performance.

As the global maritime industry embraces automation and emission-free logistics, reliable and intelligent motor solutions are becoming the backbone of this transformation. That’s where VEM motors come in.

From cranes and hoists to gantries and AGVs, VEM motors are engineered for high-load, high-efficiency performance in demanding marine environments. Built for automation and sustainability, they deliver the power and precision required in 24/7 port operations—while standing up to extreme conditions.

Built for Lifting & Port Performance 

VEM Motors 

• Motors – Tailored asynchronous designs with up to 98% efficiency 
  
• Compact & Durable – Welded steel housing, IC01/06 cooling, brake & encoder options

VEM Drives  

• VCS – Up to 690 V / 3,000 kW with DTC, Modbus/TCP & Profibus DP support 
• High System Efficiency – Up to 98%, PF up to 0.99 (PMSM), low harmonics, reduced losses
  

Whether lifting containers or powering autonomous transport systems, VEM motors deliver endurance, flexibility, and safety across every corner of the terminal.

Backed by a legacy of German engineering excellence and a strong regional presence in Asia, VEM ensures fast technical support, expert guidance, and rapid stock availability to meet the dynamic needs of modern ports.

Built for a Smarter, Greener Port Future

At VEM, we are committed to supporting the maritime industry’s transition toward cleaner, smarter port operations. With reliable drive systems built for automation, efficiency, and sustainability, our motors are ready to meet the demands of the next generation of port infrastructure.

We stand behind port operators across the region and beyond—providing solutions that enable smarter logistics, greater uptime, and long-term performance.

Explore our crane catalog or talk to our team today at sg@vem-group.com for more details.