TRENCHLESS ASIA 2012 in Singapore is a resounding success

The TRENCHLESS ASIA 2012 exhibition featured more than 50 companies from 10 countries and included country pavilions from Singapore and Germany.

 

“The decision to hold TRENCHLESS ASIA alongside SIWW proved to be extremely successful, with exhibitors reporting excellent enquiries from visitors looking for trenchless solutions” comments Paul Harwood, Show Director. “The attendance by visitors who signed up specifically to attend TRENCHLESS ASIA was supplemented by a high number of attendees who crossed over from SIWW exhibition, thus expanding the visitor profile to include an influential audience of international water industry experts and policy makers from around the world.”

 

The Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong was the guest of honour at the official opening ceremony and reception. During his welcome address he highlighted the relevance of the events to match the overall theme of ‘Water solutions for liveable and sustainable cities’.

TRENCHLESS ASIA’s two day Conference was opened by Prof Sam Ariaratnam, Chairman of International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT). Keynote presentations followed by Mr Tan Yok Gin, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) of Singapore’s Public Utilities Board (PUB) and Mr Mohammed Akhir Mohd Jiwa, Director General Sewerage Services, Ministry of Energy, Green Technology & Water, Malaysia.

 

In his address, Mr Tan reinforced the necessity for urban conurbations to adopt trenchless technologies and illustrated Singapore’s extensive works and commitment to preserving the environment through trenchless engineering works. He reported that Singapore’s current projects include a major sewer rehabilitation programme to refurbish 1,000 km of sewers within Punggol & Serangoon Reservoir Catchment. In addition, Singapore has an ongoing programme to rehabilitate sewers throughout the country.

 

Mr Mohammed Akhir Mohd Jiwa, who was also a speaker at the ISTT’s 2010 international conference in Singapore, updated delegates on the significant advances in the use of trenchless technology in Malaysia. In 2011, a budget of RM 5.6 billion (approximately USD 1.7 billion) was approved to improve the sewerage infrastructure of the Greater Kuala Lumpur/ Klang Valley. This funding will enable the construction of regional sewage treatment plants, sewer networks and upgrading the existing sewerage facilities. The project which is already underway is expected to be completed by 2020.

 

The conference programme was organised in conjunction with ISTT and featured presentations on a number of new technologies, as well as many case studies to illustrate the challenges and solutions of trenchless works around the world.

TT-UK’s Don Wilkinson presented a paper on new Keyhole Service techniques utilising HDD, keyhole coring and RSP suction excavators in combination. Don explained how it is possible to accurately drill and install services from a 650mm diameter keyhole. This type of installation process has significant benefits over traditional pit and trench methods.

 

The TT-Group was represented at the exhibition by personnel from UK, Australasia, Germany (Prime Drilling), Singapore and Thailand. Visitors to our stand were keen to talk about the challenges and projects they have to fulfil and they were left in no doubt that Trenchless Technology equipment supplied by the TT-Group/Prime Drilling would more than satisfy their requirements.

 

Don also commented “following the exhibition we have been in regular contact with a number of future users and have high expectations that our products and profile will grow in this exciting busy region”.