Studies at Sentosa & S'pore south-west coast to commence by 2026 as part of coastal protection measures

Two more site-specific studies (SSS) at Sentosa Island and the south-west coast will commence by 2026 as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen Singapore’s coastal defences.

This was announced by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu during the Committee of Supply debates on Mar. 4.

Fu noted that climate change will pose new challenges, and stated that there is a need for Singapore to not just improve its inland flood resilience, but also its coastal protection.

She highlighted the plans to implement various coastal protection measures progressively over the coming decades.

New site-specific studies

In a joint press release, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and Singapore’s national water agency PUB said that Singapore’s coastlines have been divided into different segments for the studies.

The studies aim to develop "locally tailored coastal adaptation options and plans," they said.

There are four ongoing studies being conducted for the City-East Coast, Jurong Island, and both sections of the north-west coast.

MSE and PUB also shared that two upcoming studies for Sentosa Island and the south-west coast will begin by 2026.

Sentosa Island SSS

Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) will lead the study for Sentosa Island, integrating coastal protection measures with its upcoming development plans.

The study will cover approximately 16km of coastline.

South-west coast SSS

Meanwhile, PUB will initiate the study for the south-west coast, taking into account findings from the ongoing Coastal Barrier Feasibility Study (CBFS) and the Jurong Island SSS.

The CBFS, which was launched in 2023, evaluates the potential deployment of coastal barriers along the south-western coastlines to protect the area from storm surges.

The new south-west coast study will cover approximately 116km of coastline, covering a stretch from Tuas to Pasir Panjang, MSE and PUB said.

Key land uses in the area include a mix of waterfront industrial estates, port facilities such as Tuas Port and Pasir Panjang terminals, and recreational areas like West Coast Park.

“We will consider how to dovetail the coastal protection measures with the development plans for the south-west coast,” the press release said.

Coastal Protection Bill

Additionally, MSE and PUB will be proposing new legislation in the second half of 2025 to support the implementation of coastal protection plans.

“We are preparing a coastal protection legislation to set out the responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, safeguard land for coastal protection measures and ensure that coastal protection standards are met,” Fu said.

PUB will be engaging stakeholders, including relevant public agencies and private coastal landowners, in formulating the new legislation.

"We will consult stakeholders and table a Coastal Protection bill in the second half of 2025," Fu shared.

Code of practice and guidelines

PUB also plans to launch a Code of Practice (COP) for coastal protection by the first half of 2026.

It will provide a set of standards for the industry on the design, construction and operation of various coastal protection structures in Singapore, the agency shared.

In addition, they are working on a new guidebook for Flood-Resilient Developments to complement the COP.

This guidebook will provide guidelines and case studies to help landowners enhance the flood resilience of their properties.

PUB will seek input from industry experts and relevant stakeholders to gather feedback on the contents of both the COP and guidebook later this year.

“We will consult the industry this year, and aim to release it by the first half of 2026,” Fu said.

Top photo from Google Maps