Port workers won't lose jobs as PSA goes for automation

Workers will be reskilled and reassigned, and new positions will be created, says its South-east Asia chief

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PSA's regional CEO, Mr Ong Kim Pong, talks about the future of shipping for Singapore and the move to the future Tuas Port.
Mr Ong Kim Pong (above), PSA's chief executive for South-east Asia, says the new Tuas port is not going to be just another bigger Pasir Panjang Terminal (right). It will feature "good usage of technology, machines, in terms of software and hardware".
Mr Ong Kim Pong, PSA's chief executive for South-east Asia, says the new Tuas port is not going to be just another bigger Pasir Panjang Terminal (above). It will feature "good usage of technology, machines, in terms of software and hardware". ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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Today's workers will not be made redundant as port operator PSA shifts towards automation, but be reskilled and reassigned to other roles in the company.

Indeed, there will be even more people hired for new positions such as dealing with data and artificial intelligence as PSA moves to its new Tuas base, which will be the biggest fully automated port in the world come 2040.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 15, 2020, with the headline Port workers won't lose jobs as PSA goes for automation. Subscribe