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How coastal barriers could safeguard Singapore’s southwest coast from sea-level rise
A multi-stage study combining field investigations, coastal and pluvial flood modeling, design development, maritime traffic analysis and broad environmental assessment
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Coastal barrier protecting against sea-level rise while allowing maritime vessel transit.
As Singapore plans for long-term impacts of sea level rise and storm surge, robust coastal protection will be critical to safeguarding economic activity and strategic infrastructure. Along the southwest coast — where industrial estates, major maritime channels and strategic assets operate near the shoreline — this planning is critical to sustaining ongoing economic activity.
To support this objective, PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency, commissioned Jacobs to conduct a feasibility study assessing coastal barrier options and alternative protection approaches. The study informs future coastal protection planning across key zones, including Labrador Park to Tuas View Extension and Jurong Island.
Assessing risk across a complex coastal system
Climate projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — the United Nations body that assesses effects of climate change — indicate increasing risks from sea-level rise under high-emissions scenarios.
The IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report, together with Singapore’s Third National Climate Change Study, formed the climate basis for this study.
The challenge is to assess feasible coastal protection measures for a highly complex coastal and marine environment. The study area includes navigable waterways such as the East and West Jurong Channels and Temasek Fairway, and industrial land along the southwestern coast from Labrador Park to Tuas View Extension, and on Jurong Island. Proposed measures need to account for differing operational requirements while considering potential environmental impacts across multiple coastal zones, to meet flood control requirements.
From climate projections to feasible protection measures
The feasibility study comprises three stages, beginning with inception, literature review and data review to establish the technical best practices and climate context for the southwest coast. This was followed by field surveys and investigations to support subsequent analysis for the selection of most appropriate barrier solutions.
The two main types of coastal barrier were evaluated:
- Navigable storm surge barriers, which remain open under normal conditions and close during storm surge events.
- Barrages with navigational locks, which generally remain closed, with sluice gates and pumps to discharge inland stormwater into the sea.
The shortlisted coastal barrier concept would be further developed into preliminary coastal barrier designs in the final stage of the study. The study includes a maritime traffic analysis to assess the potential impact of the coastal barrier operations on maritime traffic. The work also includes a broad environmental study to assess potential impacts on sensitive habitats and to recommend mitigation measures.
Project deliverables provide PUB with technical insights to help scope subsequent studies with greater clarity.
“Long‑term coastal resilience requires solutions that work within real site constraints. Along Singapore’s busy maritime and industrial coast, coastal barriers offer reliable protection against storm surges and rising sea levels, but at the same time to mitigating reduced efficiency of maritime traffic and minimize environmental impacts. This provides a balanced and informed coastal planning for the Southwest coast.”
Did you know?
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30 %
of Singapore’s land is less than 5m (16.4 ft) above mean sea level
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1.15 m
the extent to which sea levels could rise in Singapore by 2100
The feasibility study would provide PUB with technical assessments to support long-term coastal protection planning for Singapore’s southwest coast.
The study addresses:
- Coastal protection under projected sea-level rise and storm-surge scenarios.
- Feasibility of large-scale coastal barrier systems.
- Assessment of alternative protection approaches for industrial areas.
- Environmental considerations through strategic assessment.
- Technical inputs to inform future planning decisions.
Key team members
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Reve Chin, Senior Project Manager
Professional engineer with over 20 years’ experience, leading coastal resilience and drainage projects, and serving as project manager for PUB’s southwest coast feasibility study.
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Chow Shu Yi, Senior Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineer with over 14 years of experience in coastal protection and climate adaptation, serving as assistant project manager and environmental engineer on the study.
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Alan Cowley, Technical Director – Ports & Maritime
Maritime engineer with 38 years’ experience, serving as project director and advising on navigation, marine operations and hydraulic modeling impacts for the southwest coast study.
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Charles Schelpe, Executive Director of Operations
Flood risk and coastal engineering specialist with over 35 years’ experience, providing technical leadership on storm surge barriers, barrages and flood infrastructure.
