Photo Caption: As a Singapore-Industry Scholarship recipient, Ms Teo Chin is well prepared to tackle the challenges in her day-to-day work.

By Rebecca Rachel Wong

Last year, as Covid-19 spread, countries reacted swiftly by locking down borders, throwing the world’s global supply chains into disarray.

These supply chains were critical in moving essential supplies – from food to medicines – from one country to another.

That was the challenge faced by Ms Teo Chin, deputy manager at PSA Singapore’s Cargo Solutions department. Even in extraordinary times, her team had to ensure that supply chains remained open so that goods could arrive at their destinations.

The 26-year-old says: “Due to the disruptions to supply chains and constant changes in the global landscape, I had to rethink the solutions we provide to our customers to suit their changing needs. I had to be flexible when faced with these challenges, and to constantly reimagine new ways to cope with this new normal.” 

 

Forward-thinking 

The solution was to accelerate the digitalisation process. Ms Teo observes how the pandemic has escalated the need for digital transformation – from digital collaboration tools and digital assignment of tasks, to an emphasis on effective information management systems.

“PSA has been forward-thinking in this aspect, as we had already automated some of our port equipment and work processes. The upcoming Tuas Port will also be the world’s largest fully automated terminal when it’s fully operational in the 2040s,” she says. 

As part of this digital push, PSA developed CALISTA – an open and neutral supply chain digital platform. Co-created with tech partner Global eTrade Services (GeTS), CALISTA brings together key physical, regulatory and financial activities of cargo logistics on a digital ecosystem. This helps streamline processes, documents and data for the flow of goods, by interacting with the systems of different stakeholders.

“Such digital transformation also provides opportunities for PSA to reimagine a future with sustainable operations, which will build business resilience in the new normal,” she says. 

 

Primed for the workforce 

As a Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) recipient, Ms Teo says she is well prepared to tackle the challenges in her day-to-day work.

She has attended development and networking sessions organised by PSA and the SgIS Scholars’ Development and Engagement Programme. These sessions allowed her to connect with others from various PSA departments, which is an advantage when working on combined projects.

The educational sessions also broadened her understanding on topics beyond daily port operations, such as cargo solutions and end-to-end logistics initiatives that PSA is developing.

Visit https://go.gov.sg/sgis for more information.