SCDF Marine Division to get first stand-alone headquarters by 2026

By 2026, the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) Marine Division will have its first stand-alone headquarters, which will be built beside Brani Marine Fire Station, near HarbourFront.

- Caelyn Tan

The new headquarters will support SCDF's increased operational responsibilities, and the training needs and administration of Marine Division officers.

This development was announced on Nov 15 in conjunction with the ground-breaking ceremony for the new headquarters, which is slated to be completed and operational in March 2026.

It comes as a new megaport will also be built in Tuas by 2040, nearly doubling Singapore's handling capacity. Currently, more than 140,000 vessels call at Singapore's ports every year.

By 2029, the division's marine fire stations will have 10 firefighting vessels, up from the current six, which include the heavy fire vessel Red Sailfish - the world's most powerful vessel in terms of water output.

And by 2035, the division will have six marine bases, up from the current four. Now, it boasts 220 active personnel, two fire stations (Brani Marine Fire Station and West Coast Marine Fire Station) and two fire posts (Loyang Marine Fire Post and Gul Marine Fire Post). The current Marine Division headquarters is co-located at the Brani station.

SCDF's new vessels will feature dynamic positioning, a computer-controlled system that automatically maintains a vessel's position and where it is headed during operations, increasing safety.