AI News Monitor

Singapore, one of the world’s busiest shipping hubs, is leading the charge in transforming global trade logistics. At the Port of Singapore, where operations run 24/7, efficiency is paramount. However, the haulier industry faces a silent crisis: high operational costs, carbon emissions, and a severe manpower shortage, particularly among drivers and trip planners.

To address these challenges, PSA Singapore, in partnership with HERE Technologies, has introduced OptETruck, an AI-powered transport management solution. Launched in late 2022, OptETruck optimizes trip planning, execution, and billing, significantly reducing inefficiencies. By early 2025, the system had onboarded 400 trucks, capturing nearly 20% of Singapore’s market share. Each truck now handles 10 to 12 daily deliveries, up from a previous average marred by up to 35% unproductive trips.

The results are striking. Empty trips have been cut by 50%, saving fuel, labor, and maintenance costs. “It’s like a taxi moving without a passenger,” explained a PSA representative. The system also introduces automated scheduling and asset pooling, enabling trucking companies to share resources and reduce the need for additional vehicles and drivers.

Beyond logistics, the technology leverages advanced location data and AI to predict optimal routes, accounting for real-time variables like traffic congestion and accidents. This precision is powered by HERE Technologies’ UniMAP methodology, which integrates live data from billions of probes and government feeds to ensure accurate ETAs and ETDs.

The environmental impact is equally significant. Scaling up OptETruck could slash 10 million kilograms of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to planting 300,000 trees. This aligns with Singapore’s ambitious sustainability goals, including reducing emissions to 60 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Looking ahead, Singapore’s Tuas Port, set to become the world’s largest fully automated terminal by the 2040s, will further enhance efficiency. With a capacity to handle 65 million containers annually—nearly double 2021’s volume—the port is a cornerstone of Singapore’s vision for a smarter, greener supply chain.

As AI and technology continue to evolve, PSA and its partners are confident that these innovations will not only address current challenges but also pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient future in global trade.