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Safeguarding Singapore’s industrial hub from rising seas

Planning integrated coastal and inland flood defenses for Jurong Island’s energy and chemicals hub
JTC APA 4 Jurong Island
Environmental Water Government

Home to Singapore’s energy and chemicals sector, Jurong Island is one of the country’s most critical industrial assets. It hosts a dense network of refineries, petrochemical plants, storage facilities and shared utilities that underpin national supply chains and economic activity.

Much of Jurong Island sits close to sea level, placing vital infrastructure near the coastline. While existing coastal defenses provide protection today, rising sea levels and more intense storm events mean these measures will need to be strengthened and adapted. 

On Jurong Island, flood protection is about more than keeping water out; solutions must also preserve operational continuity, safety and space for future industrial development.

JTC Corporation, Singapore’s lead agency for industrial land and infrastructure, plans, develops and manages industrial estates to support the country’s economic growth. JTC appointed Jacobs and Surbana Jurong to deliver a site-specific engineering study focused on climate adaptation for Jurong Island. 

The study examines future coastal and inland flood risks, identifies feasible protection measures and develops preliminary designs to support phased implementation planning in a location designated as one of eight hydraulically distinct adaptation planning areas. This adds complexity to the study, as solutions must account for both coastal and inland flood risks while working within a constrained, continuously operating industrial environment.

The study supports infrastructure planning and investment decisions, translating adaptation objectives into practical, site-specific solutions.

  • Jurong Island’s role as a critical industrial hub means climate adaptation planning must be both robust and highly practical. This study focuses on developing coastal adaptation pathways and measures, with integrated coastal and inland flood protection measures that strengthens resilience while respecting operational, safety and development constraints.
    Michael Gillen
    Michael Gillen
    Project Manager & Environmental Engineer

Integrating coastal and inland flood risks

National climate projections show mean sea levels around Singapore could rise by up to 3.77 feet (1.15 meters) by 2100. Around 30% of Singapore is less than 16.4 feet (5 meters) above mean sea level, highlighting the need for tailored engineering studies across different coastal segments.

Protecting Jurong Island from flooding is fundamentally different from protecting residential or recreational coastlines. The island is densely developed, highly regulated and continuously operating, with industrial facilities handling hazardous materials and shared utilities running across sites, as well as space for new infrastructure being limited. Any flood protection measures must work within these constraints without compromising safety or disrupting operations.

There are also multiple factors that lead to flood risk on Jurong Island. Rising sea levels and storm surges threaten the coastline, while intense rainfall and drainage limitations increase the risk of inland flooding. These risks interact, meaning water levels can be driven by both coastal and inland conditions at the same time. Understanding how these systems combine under future climate scenarios is critical.

The challenge was to develop an adaptation planning framework that integrates coastal and inland flood protection measures, while accounting for the island’s operational constraints, safety requirements and long-term development needs. 

Any proposed solutions would also need to be technically feasible and environmentally informed, as well as being capable of phased implementation, including identifying suitable locations for tidal gates, pumping stations and other critical flood management infrastructure.

From modeling to master planning

We approached the challenge by combining detailed modeling with practical, multi-stage planning. The study began by establishing a robust technical baseline through data review and stakeholder engagement, followed by integrated modeling of future coastal and inland flood conditions. This included simulations of tides, storm surges, waves and drainage systems to understand how water could affect Jurong Island under different climate scenarios.

These analyses informed a structured master planning process that identified feasible protection measures suited to an operating industrial environment. Options were assessed for their ability to reduce flood risk and how they could be delivered safely, integrated with existing infrastructure and phased over time. Preliminary designs were developed to test constructability and operational fit, supported by environmental assessment to identify sensitivities early.

The study also supports regulatory review and implementation planning, providing a clear technical basis for decision-making. Together, this approach translates long-term climate risks into practical, actionable solutions that can be implemented progressively, enabling JTC to strengthen Jurong Island’s flood defenses.

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