Singapore’s first ocean basin facility has opened at the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS).
The ocean basin, opened on 26 July, allows for simulations of real-world operating environments in deep, intermediate, and shallow waters.
This capability allows the facility to co-create, stress test and validate solutions as well as novel concepts of future ocean systems and infrastructure, with industry partner.
Located in NUS, the next-generation ocean basin facility is equipped with wave and current generation systems, a towing carriage and a movable floor to simulate challenging ocean environments that offshore platforms, ships and underwater systems operate in.
The water depth of 50 metres in the centre pit is currently one of the deepest in the world, allowing simulations of operating environments in ultra-deepwater.
TCOMS also continually builds advanced capabilities such as cyber-physical modelling and simulation, involving smart sensing, data analytics and real-time data assimilation.
These capabilities are developed and supported by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers with domain expertise in engineering, ocean sciences and naval architecture.
Industry players are already working closely with TCOMS on projects that range from smart offshore systems, autonomous and remotely-operated vessels, marine robotics to nearshore infrastructure.
Key partners of TCOMS unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of the ocean basin facility.
“The TCOMS triple-helix collaboration between academia, public sector and industry enables co-innovating of solutions for the Marine & Offshore Engineering, Maritime and other ocean-related sectors. TCOMS also performs a pivotal role in nurturing science and technology talent for the aforementioned industries. Working with TCOMS, companies can capture new market opportunities in the region and beyond,” said Frederick Chew, CEO of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
Prof. Chan Eng Soon, CEO of TCOMS said: “This opening marks the official start of TCOMS’s journey in basin simulation and testing, using the cutting-edge capabilities that have been developed in-house by our researchers.
“With its unique combination of physical-numerical modelling and simulation capabilities, TCOMS is also well placed to do its part in nurturing our younger generation with the necessary skillsets and expertise to lead the sector to greater heights.”
Launched in 2016, TCOMS is a national Research and Development (R&D) centre dedicated to the Marine & Offshore Engineering, Maritime and other ocean-related industries.
It is a joint venture between the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
