Mammoet Delivers Specialized Heavy Lifting and Transport Solutions for Singapore’s First Offshore Polder Project

Mammoet has successfully delivered complex heavy lifting and specialized transport solutions for the Pulau Tekong Polder project, a groundbreaking land reclamation development located on an offshore island in Singapore. The project marks a major milestone as Singapore’s first polder, reclaiming approximately 800 hectares of land. Led by the Housing Development Board (HDB) and executed by the Boskalis Penta Ocean Joint Venture (BPJV), the development uses the innovative empoldering technique, implemented for the first time in the country.

Unlike conventional land reclamation, which relies heavily on sand infill, the empoldering method creates a low-lying tract of land protected by a dike. Water is then drained from the enclosed area, forming the polder. The dike shields the polder from the sea, with water levels regulated through a network of drains and pumps. This approach significantly reduces the amount of fill material required, resulting in lower construction costs and reduced environmental impact.

As part of the development, a stormwater collection pond was built inside the polder to manage excess rainfall. During excavation and dredging, multiple floating barges and work platforms were deployed. Once the pond was completed, these vessels became landlocked and required recovery for continued use. In total, twelve barges weighing between 680 and 990 tonnes needed to be retrieved from the pond, transported across a newly completed haul road to the dike, and relaunched into the open sea, a highly complex task demanding advanced planning, precision engineering, and specialized equipment.

Mammoet executed the operation in carefully sequenced phases. Each barge was retrieved using 68 inflatable airbags and four winches rated between 60 to 85 tonnes. Airbags were positioned beneath the bow, and once secured, the barge was winched from the pond to a staging point where 18 climbing jacks lifted the structure. This allowed the airbags to be removed and Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) to be maneuvered underneath. The SPMTs transported each barge to the launch zone, where the reverse process was applied to safely return the vessels to the sea. This cycle was repeated until all twelve barges were relocated.

Despite unexpected weather challenges, Mammoet maintained schedule discipline, demonstrating operational agility and technical excellence. The successful execution contributed significantly to a national development that expands Singapore’s usable land area. “We take immense pride in our role within the Tekong Polder project. By leveraging our global expertise, we helped enhance Singapore's geographical footprint,” said Anandan Lokantham, Sales Manager, Mammoet Projects AMEA.