[Let's Run Again Construction Korea] 'Samsung C&T' Standing Tall in Singapore... Unmatched Technology and Safety Management

Samsung C&T, Leader in Singapore Infrastructure Construction
Won T307 Project in 2015, Beating 5 Competitors
High Bid Price but Recognized for Technical Expertise and Capability

Challenging Large Tunnel Construction Beneath Urban Area
Project Executed Without Complaints or Accidents Using Advanced Technology
Outstanding Safety Management Also Praised Locally

A view of the T307 site of the Singapore subway construction contracted by Samsung C&T Corporation. This site is part of the Thomson-East Coast Line subway construction section, which connects the Woodlands area in northern Singapore and the area near Changi International Airport, with a total length of 43 km. (Photo by Samsung C&T Corporation)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] 'Prepared companies seize opportunities.' This is the story of Samsung C&T, which won the bid for the T307 site, a section of the Singapore subway construction, in November 2015, beating five competing companies.

At that time, Samsung C&T submitted a higher bid than its competitors, but the client, Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA), chose this company as the contractor for the T307 section. This was because they valued the technical capability and safety management capacity to carry out complex construction more highly than the price. In the industry, this contract, won based on trust and technical skills rather than price, was evaluated as "having significance beyond the sales amount." In fact, Samsung C&T has been recognized for its capabilities by safely carrying out construction even amid the difficulties faced by the construction industry due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The T307 site contracted by Samsung C&T is part of the Thomson-East Coast Line subway construction section, which connects the Woodlands area in northern Singapore and the area near Changi International Airport, with a total length of 43 km. The contract amount is 393 million USD, approximately 450 billion KRW. The construction period is a total of 88 months, with completion scheduled for February 2023.

Unparalleled Technical Skills... Reducing Construction Time and Minimizing Community Burden

The T307 construction is classified as a complex site requiring excellent technical skills and stable execution capabilities. It is located in Marine Parade in southeastern Singapore, an area densely populated with high-end offices and residential neighborhoods, which adds the burden of paying extra attention to safety. Samsung C&T must excavate about 2.7 km underground using a large tunnel boring machine (TBM). Additionally, they must construct a 343-meter-long cut-and-cover tunnel and one large station measuring 305 meters.

Among the companies that participated in the 2015 bid, Samsung C&T was the only one to propose an alternative design. Originally, the construction to relocate and restore existing roads to lay the subway was planned in 12 stages, but Samsung C&T proposed reducing this process to 7 stages. Alternative designs were also applied to infrastructure such as pump systems to simplify the construction process.

This was based on Samsung C&T's unique and unparalleled technical skills. The cut-and-cover tunnel construction applied the top-down method, which involves completing the ceiling work of the subway first and then gradually proceeding with the lower part. Once the initial work is completed, there is no need to relocate the road on the surface, making the construction easier. This reflects the consideration to minimize the impact on nearby department stores and hotels and reduce the burden on the local community.

In the construction of underground tunnels using large tunnel boring machines, Samsung C&T completed excavation within the given timeframe without a single problem by utilizing an automatic pumping system. Notably, Samsung C&T used its self-developed Building Information Modeling (BIM) system for this construction. This BIM system clearly displays key information such as construction progress, whether work is being done at specific points, and necessary materials. By using the BIM system, Samsung C&T reduced the number of times roads had to be relocated and restored, accelerating the schedule and minimizing complaints from the surrounding community.

Group photo of on-site workers at Singapore T307 (Photo by Samsung C&T)

'Safety First'... The Foundation of Client Trust

Another strength of Samsung C&T is its on-site safety management capability. Samsung C&T previously installed and operated a safety experience center at the T213 underground civil engineering site in Singapore. At the safety experience center, workers can directly experience various types of safety accidents that may occur on site. This helps them prioritize safety themselves.

The safety experience center, which started at T213, is also being used at other civil engineering sites such as T307 and T313. Recently, advanced technologies like virtual reality (VR) are used for safety accident simulations, as well as experiments on shock prevention for safety helmets and safety shoes. Samsung C&T's safety-first approach has become an important foundation for gaining the trust of local clients and expanding its business.

Samsung C&T's site management capability is also one of its advantages. Since the T307 site involves underground civil engineering work in a reclaimed area, not only construction and safety management but also preliminary work is important. The area near the site is densely populated with large buildings and high-end residences, and traffic volume is high, so securing the construction section and checking existing buried cables require smooth communication with related agencies. Samsung C&T formed a dedicated team responsible for communication with residents, related agencies, and other stakeholders at the T307 site.

In the early stages of construction, complaints opposing the construction flooded mainly from nearby residents due to inconvenience in traffic and noise, but thanks to Samsung C&T's communication efforts, the relationship has improved to the point where complainants invite the company to events first, and local district lawmakers also step in to assist the construction progress.

Personal health management kit for workers provided at the Singapore T307 site (Photo by Samsung C&T)

This year, with the increased importance of workplace health management due to the spread of COVID-19, a healing center was also created at the T307 site where workers can rest and relax comfortably. Various hygiene items that allow workers to prevent COVID-19 themselves are stocked here. Additionally, to block group infections in worker accommodations, single-occupancy accommodations were expanded. Efforts are ongoing to prevent COVID-19 by adjusting commuting times, having meals by work groups, and separating rest areas.

Lee Cheolhaeng, the T307 site manager, said, "All site staff and workers are working with the mindset of being one team, putting in care and effort into safety management." He added, "Therefore, we can protect the most important value of construction sites, safety, while also managing the schedule and profitability well." He further emphasized, "Safety management is not only the duty of the construction or safety team but the responsibility of all employees."

Since entering the Singapore civil engineering market in 1996 with the Jurong Island reclamation project phase 2, Samsung C&T has established itself as a strong player in Singapore's infrastructure market by winning contracts for the Northeast Line 307, Downtown Line 908, North-South Line extension 156, Thomson-East Coast Line 307 and 313, Marina Coastal Expressway, and North-South Expressway.

Samsung C&T emphasized, "We are increasing customer trust based on technical skills, execution capabilities, and safety management capacity," and added, "We will thoroughly prepare and strive until the completion of the T307 site to produce high-quality results."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.