
New crane tips over at Tuas Port, no injuries reported, Singapore News
A new quay crane has tipped over at Tuas Port, according to a joint statement by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and port operator PSA Singapore (PSA) on Sunday (June 15).
In a video of the incident shared on Facebook group Safety Watch, the fallen crane kicks up a billowing dust cloud.
A person can be heard repeatedly commenting in Mandarin: "The crane has collapsed!"
MPA and PSA said that the incident took place around 1.20pm on Sunday as the new crane was being delivered to a non-operational berth.
"There were no injuries or fatalities," they said. "No damage has been assessed to port equipment and facilities."
All of PSA's currently operation berths are fully accessible, while port operations and development works are unaffected.
MPA and PSA will work with relevant authorities regarding the incident, which is under investigation, they added.
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow had visited Tuas Port earlier last week where he checked on the development of Tuas port, which began in 2019.
In a Facebook post last Thursday (June 12), he described the port as a "shining jewel of Singapore's maritime innovation and excellence", also sharing that it is the world's largest fully automated port.
PSA currently operates 11 berths, with seven more slated for 2027, he stated.
"It was fascinating to witness the automated yard in action," Siow commented.
"A seamless flow of containers moved by automated guided vehicles, all under the watchful eyes of our skilled port workers, whose work often go unseen, but who are vital to keep Singapore connected to the world and our economy moving."
[[nid:718791]]
khooyihang@asiaone.com

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


AsiaOne
12 hours ago
- AsiaOne
There's 'mum guilt', but what about dads? As fatherhood loomed, one man felt guilt and 'grief', Lifestyle News
Hands up — how many of us mums have felt the familiar pang of 'mum guilt'? I remember going back to work after maternity leave and feeling a surge of complicated emotions whenever photos of my baby's milestones were sent to me. The emotion of guilt bubbled to the fore whenever I was invited to social events, which meant taking away more time from my son. "Is it too much to want some 'me time' or enjoy myself while someone else is taking care of my child?" I'd think. According to online sources, the feeling of 'mum guilt' is commonly experienced as the feeling of not doing enough and falling short of expectations — be it of society's, those around us or our own. The emotion is often manifested as shame, regret and self-reproach, reported Australian news network ABC on the topic. But it also made me wonder about this idea of 'dad guilt'. Do dads feel the equivalent emotion, and is it possible they feel it as intensely as their wives? According to an article on Touch Community Services' website in June this year, dad guilt is more common than people might think and can "significantly affect the emotional and mental well-being of fathers". This can feel like spending time with the kids is at the cost of being an effective financial provider, or not wanting to take time out for themselves, the article stated. It added that dads can feel "an immense pressure to 'compensate' for their time away at work by dedicating every moment at home to family, viewing their personal time as a luxury they can't afford". Yes, dads feel guilt too A straw poll of some fathers around me revealed that for the most part, they do experience guilt, though whether it matches the intensity felt by their wives is to be debated. In fact, men can experience emotions that are just as complex, which women might not be aware of. Sometimes, these emotions can manifest themselves even before the baby's birth. New parent Marc Teo was elated at welcoming his son — who was born on May 15 — to the world, but knowing that he was about to become a father and be responsible for another life triggered something unexpected in the 33-year-old business coach. In a Facebook post published on May 19, he wrote that with impending fatherhood, he began "reflecting and setting goals" for himself, and that was when he started to feel some discomfort in his body. "I started feeling tense: my chest felt tight, my breathing grew heavy, and [I] entered a deep state of sadness," he stated. Turning to AI for a "diagnosis", Marc realised that he was "grieving". "It felt I was saying goodbye to an old version of myself," he wrote, adding in a separate Instagram post that "it felt like I might lose the life I loved — five-figure months, travelling around the world, etc." [embed] Speaking to AsiaOne, Marc shared that he'd experienced 'dad guilt' even before his baby's arrival, as he worried over whether he was doing enough for his pregnant wife and if he'd be able to provide financially for his family. "A lot of internal pressure showed up," he admitted. "But through coaching and a lot of reflection, I started to realise — it's not about having it all figured out. I might not be perfect, but I can keep showing up, keep improving and take it one step at a time," said Marc, who shared that he constantly checks in with his wife on how he can make her life easier. However, he reflected that guilt isn't always a bad thing. "It actually showed me that I care and is a signal that I want to be better and be present. So instead of running from the discomfort, I learned to sit with it," said Marc, who also practised gratitude and a process of "reframing" his mindset to cope. Now just over a month into becoming a new dad, he says he is slowly adjusting to his new schedule. "At times I still feel like I'm not doing as much as I could, especially when I see what my wife is managing. But I try to view that thought as something to grow from, not beat myself up over," he reflected. "All that said, holding my kid gives me perspective and reminds me of what matters at the end of the day." 'Anticipatory grief' and anxiety Psychologist Gifford Chan shared with AsiaOne that many of Teo's thoughts and feelings are "very valid" and that he could be experiencing a form of "anticipatory grief" at the possibility of losing his freedom and anxiety about the adjustment to being a father. "Welcoming a baby into the family for the first time is a big life-changing experience. Many fathers struggle to accept and understand this change," said Gifford, who owns his own private practice, Psychology Matters. He suggested that men experiencing these emotions talk openly with their wives on her expectations and what they hope to do for the family. "Reaching a common understanding on how they want to take care of the child, down to the nitty gritty of vaccines, breastfeeding or formula, financial priorities and input from parents and in-laws are also important," Gifford stressed. More essentially, couples should prioritise their marital relationship and take small pockets of time to continue building it, he added. The approach mirrors what Teo practised to help him address the guilt he feels whenever he's away from his family. One of them is setting expectations with his wife and grounding himself on principles they'd agreed upon as a couple. "I know that when I'm not working, I'm fully there [with my family], and that helped me address the guilt over the past few months especially," he told AsiaOne. Shifting parental roles Among the five dads AsiaOne spoke to, most of them acknowledge that evolving parental roles have made these emotions more salient, as the lines between "mum" and "dad" are no longer as defined as they once were. "I suppose the main role of dads back then was to provide financially, maybe only stepping in for serious matters of discipline. But for the day-to-day, it was definitely mum," said Marc. Entrepreneur Dave (not his real name), whose daughter is nine, echoed this, sharing how he grew up in a traditional household with his dad as the financial provider and mum the primary caregiver — a clear division of roles that feels outdated in his own family. "Personally, I've always disliked the notion of fixed roles as defined by society and lean much more heavily towards what I think will benefit our family," he said. Some fathers also shared with AsiaOne that most of the guilt they feel is over the lack of quality of time with their kids — a situation not unfamiliar with working mothers. Dave, whose daughter is nine eight [C: she turns nine in Nov], knows this to be true — especially on days when he feels he hasn't been present enough with his family. The feeling also surfaces when he thinks he's been too harsh on his daughter for misbehaving. He admitted to feeling particularly remorseful when he realises belatedly that "the severity was influenced more by my mood at the time instead of being proportionate to her perceived transgression". Gifford, who himself is a father of two kids below 12, revealed that he experiences similar emotions even as a mental health practitioner. "Especially when in my line of work, the more I work, the more I can potentially earn," he admitted. "This directly clashes with my desire to spend time with my kids, whether through play or simply chatting." He admitted to feeling envious of his wife on occasion, as she works from home and gets to see the children more. The concept of having 'me time' is also not exclusive to mums, and neither is the resulting guilt. Said Gifford: "When I return from work, there's also a [internal] struggle on whether I should spend the little time I have with the kids or to relax and wind down for the day." According to Joel Wong, assistant manager at Touch Counselling & Psychological Services, Touch Community Services, both dad guilt and mum guilt stem from the feeling that they're not doing enough. "As fathers carry out the role of being the family provider, they may frequently experience dad guilt, believing that they're not doing enough to care for their family's needs and spending quality time with them," said Joel. The increased advocacy for fathers to be involved at home as well as the evolving societal expectations of dads may contribute to the growing feelings of dad guilt. Said Joel: "This can be a novel experience or struggle for many fathers to grapple with, prompting difficult questions such as, 'will prioritising my family affect my career?' or 'if my career is affected as a result of being more present with my family, does it impact my ability to provide for them?'" The idea that 'dad guilt' exists is shared by Swetha Vigraham, founder of Bricks & Blocks Coaching and host of the Everyday Parenting podcast. In a written commentary on the topic, she added further insight that the way 'dad guilt' manifests can be slightly different in men than in women. While mums tend to question if they're doing enough for their children, fathers frequently turn to the more existential question of "What am I doing?" and how they can contribute. Mums also often face the pressure of meeting pre-conceived notions in society of how mothers should be, whereas fathers may grapple with feeling inadequate in the parenting arena, said Swetha. Joel told AsiaOne that today's fathers are not just providers; their role now significantly includes supporting their children's emotional, social and mental well-being. Juggling these multifaceted responsibilities can take a toll on their mental health. "While mothers have long played the role of balancing work and home, it may seem fathers now have a lot of catching up to do," he said. To alleviate the mental stress and pressure of being a parent, Touch Counselling & Psychological Services encourages dads to share their struggles and concerns with their spouse and seek emotional support from loved ones to manage feelings of dad guilt. However, if the emotions are overwhelming, making it difficult to cope, it is best to seek professional help, Joel said. candicecai@

Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
SCDF launches rescue vessel to tackle major incidents in Singapore waters
SINGAPORE - A new marine rescue vessel equipped to deal with fires and other emergencies in Singapore's waters has been commissioned, as larger ships with more passengers such as the Disney Cruise Line are expected here in the near future. It will be based at West Coast Marine Fire Station when it is operational from October. The 38m-long Blue Dolphin is a second-generation marine rescue vessel that is 3m longer than its predecessor, the Red Dolphin, and will be the primary vessel for major incidents such as fires, rescues and chemical incidents. The increased space on the boat allows for a heli-winch, where casualties can be evacuated by helicopters from the Singapore Armed Forces. This feature was not available on the Red Dolphin. Built by SCDF, Penguin Shipyard International, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency and Defence Science and Technology Agency, the Blue Dolphin can travel at a speed of up to 30 knots, and accommodate up to 30 seated casualties. Another of its features not available on the Red Dolphin is an integrated command post, which can draw information from the ship's cameras, detectors and operation logs to coordinate emergency responses. The new vessel's cameras provide clearer footage of surrounding waters to the operating crew, and are equipped with video analytics to help them identify potential targets in the water during search-and-rescue operations. The integrated command post can draw information from the ship's cameras, detectors and operation logs to coordinate emergency responses. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Since 2012 when SCDF's Marine Division took over the maritime firefighting function of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), it has expanded from two vessels and a single fire station to a fleet of seven vessels (including the Blue Dolphin), operating two marine fire stations and two marine fire posts. Building on the search-and-rescue capabilities of the Red Dolphin, the new vessel has an enhanced rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), which can now be used to fight fires on small stationary boats. The RHIB can also search coastlines with its sonar system, which uses sound waves to locate people and objects up to 7m underwater. The enhanced rigid hull inflatable boat can now be used to fight fires on small stationary boats. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Since 2017, the Marine Division has taken on an additional role handling marine chemical, biological and radiological incidents. If needed, it supports MPA in oil and chemical spill incidents. To deal with chemical emergencies, the Blue Dolphin is equipped with a hazmat sensor that can detect and identify most chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals and volatile organic compounds in the water up to 5km away. Its chemical, biological, and radiological system can then monitor and demarcate hazardous boundaries before responders are deployed. Speaking at the vessel's commissioning ceremony at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club on June 25, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong said: 'SCDF Marine Division's capability, I would say, is critical amid a rapidly evolving maritime landscape. Singapore's cruise industry itself is expanding, with more cruise ships calling port in Singapore. 'For example, the Disney Cruise Line will soon launch its maiden voyage from the Singapore Cruise Centre at the end of 2025, and this itself means larger vessels, with more passengers, will appear in Singapore waters. 'In addition, the Tuas Mega Port's first phase of operations has commenced. By 2040, it will be one of the largest container ports in the world, and the resulting high vessel throughput will make Singapore one of the busiest waterways globally.' Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong participating in a tour of the marine rescue vessel on June 25. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The Disney cruise ship can carry 6,000 passengers and 2,300 crew members. By 2030, the Marine Division will operate 10 vessels, and will be supported by the new Marine Division Headquarters in Brani, which is slated to open in 2026. Another marine fire post at Northshore Crescent in Punggol is expected to be ready by 2028. Claudia Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times covering the crime and court beat. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
Hokkien and Cantonese classes for domestic helpers to be held from July
The courses will have 200 slots for domestic helpers to pick up Hokkien and Cantonese. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Hokkien and Cantonese classes for domestic helpers to be held from July SINGAPORE – From July, domestic helpers here will get to improve their communication skills at Hokkien and Cantonese classes organised by the NTUC's Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) and two institutions. The courses will have 200 slots for domestic helpers to pick up Hokkien at classes run by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Cultural Academy and Cantonese at classes by The Salvation Army. On June 22, the CDE signed a memorandum of understanding with each of the institutions, with the aim of working together to strengthen the language and communication skills of domestic helpers. The signing took place at the National Trades Union Congress and CDE's annual May Day domestic employees' celebration, where Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower and Finance Shawn Huang was the guest of honour. In a speech at NTUC Centre, Mr Huang said the language courses will complement the CDE's eldercare courses by enabling workers to better understand and respond to their elderly care recipients' needs. The formal introduction of the courses follows earlier pilot runs of classes conducted by the CDE, where 25 participants took part over two runs of Cantonese classes and another 11 attended one Hokkien class. The CDE said feedback it received from the classes was encouraging, with domestic helpers feeling more confident and connected when caring for elderly employers. Ms Enik Suparmi, who attended a pilot Cantonese class , is in her 40s and has worked in Singapore for more than 20 years. She said the class helped to reinforce a basic understanding of Cantonese she had learnt from being a caregiver to an elderly woman who mainly spoke the dialect and Mandarin. Ms Enik, who hails from Indonesia, said she is now more confident with basic Cantonese words such as those that describe 'sleeping' and 'eat porridge', and can better respond to requests made to her in the dialect. Indonesian helper Enik Suparmi was among the participants at pilot runs of a Cantonese class. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Speaking to about 1,200 attendees, including domestic helpers, employers and union leaders, at the May Day celebration, Mr Huang thanked employers who have been supportive of their helpers receiving training. 'Skills such as caregiving benefit not just households but society at large,' he said. 'In particular, improving workers' language skills is crucial to building better communications, understanding and empathy between migrant domestic workers and household members.' Ms Enik said having supportive employers allowed her to complete a nursing diploma in 2024. 'They tell me that I don't always need to work so hard and always support my learning and development,' she said. Both language classes will run for about a year, with 120 slots in the Cantonese class and 80 slots for the Hokkien class on offer during that period. (From left) NTUC president K. Thanaletchimi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Shawn Huang and NTUC deputy secretary-general Cham Hui Fong at the May Day domestic employees' celebration on June 22, 2025. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI The Cantonese classes, which each comprises two 90-minute sessions, will run from July 6, and will cost $10 for CDE volunteers and $20 for others. The Hokkien classes, which each lasts for two hours , will be held from July 13 at the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations in Toa Payoh. Further details are being worked out. Mr Michael Lim, director of NTUC's Migrant Workers Segment, said the programme's effectiveness and demand will be evaluated before determining if it will continue. The CDE is also exploring offering Teochew classes to domestic helpers. Other efforts by the CDE to improve domestic helpers' caregiving skills include the Caregivers' First Response Course by NTUC LearningHub, which covered skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, choking response and fall prevention. CDE is looking at organising more runs of the course after 165 domestic helpers completed the course during a pilot from December 2024 to May 2025 . Details on how to register for the Hokkien and Cantonese classes will be posted on CDE's Facebook page. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.