Slurry TBM ‘Channel Express’ launched by CRCHI for working in Water Supply Tunnels in Singapore

On February 1, 2023, CRCHI attended the launching ceremony of its Slurry TBM ‘Channel Express’. It will be used in the construction of key water supply tunnel project TWRP Pipeline Contract 1 in Singapore where it will bore 1.6km with the inner diameter of 6m.


The project connects the Singapore Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (TWRP) to the existing network on Jurong Island through a sub-sea TBM tunnel, which is one of the key infrastructure projects of the Singapore’s National Water Agency in recent years. The tunnel crosses the seabed for a long distance with high water pressure. In addition, it passes through mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone, for a long distance with high rock strength, and a possible fracture zone in the tunnel section.

As per the characteristics of the project, the ‘Channel Express’ TBM is equipped with advanced technologies such as high pressure main drive seal, jaw+roller two stage stone crushing, synchronous bi-component grouting, and slurry circulation anti-blocking system. The telescopic camera device, which was first used in the Singapore tunnel project, can monitor the inside of the main bearing and the excavation chamber by video. The intelligent excavation management system can monitor the excavation volume in real time.