A Better Bay Begins: SLNG Breaks Ground on New LNG Truck Loading Facility

From a distance, it doesn't look like much. A patch of cleared ground, some construction stakes, the echo of machinery at work. But for the Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) team, this moment has been a long time coming.

Back in 2017, the current SLNG truck loading bay was built as a pilot facility to help kickstart the development of LNG trucking and LNG bunkering in Singapore. The single bay, nestled within the SLNG Terminal on Jurong Island, was set up to handle up to six trucks a day with just one loading bay and connection via flexible hoses. It was a simple start, but it proved the viability of LNG trucking in Singapore.

Fast forward to today.

On 27 August 2025, SLNG, together with customers and partners, marked the start of construction for a new and enhanced LNG truck loading facility with a groundbreaking ceremony.

Located just outside the main gates of the SLNG Terminal, the new facility will house two bays and is scheduled for completion by Q4 2026. The project represents the next step in how LNG would be transported in Singapore: safer, faster, and with greater efficiency for all stakeholders.

Captain Suresh Kumar Nallayan, General Manager (Jetty Operations), has walked this ground hundreds of times, but now it feels different. As SLNG's operations lead for the LNG truck loading facility, he has led various initiatives to improve and optimise the operations at the current facility. But with calls for further enhancements to meet the increasing demand for LNG trucking, a new facility was needed.

"It's exciting to see something new; getting new equipment and facilities for operations. But what truly matters is the peace of mind that comes with improved operational features enhanced by automation, further risk mitigation, and smoother day-to-day executions,” he says.

Signing ceremony for the new LNG truck loading facility

Less Waiting, More Moving

The original bay was meant to be just a pilot.

For a while, the solution met the needs of the market. But as demand grew, so did pressure on the system. With industrial demand for LNG expected to continue to pick up pace in the coming years, the new facility could not be timelier.

"We will have two bays," says Suresh. "And the new facility will be segregated from the main terminal. So, instead of waiting for an escort and navigating carefully through multiple safety and security zones to reach the bay, trucks can utilise the specific ingress/egress dedicated for the loading bay in the new facility, which will expedite the pre- and post-loading sequence. This means less time spent just getting to the bay, less hold-points, and better efficiency."

Thoughtfully Designed

The goal, right from the onset, was to design the new facility with a system that will work seamlessly across teams, as well as for the people who will use it every day.

"While this project began as a response to growing customer demand, we also wanted to help enable the industrial shift towards cleaner fuel alternatives," says Shennie Yong, Manager (Storage and Reload). One of these requirements was scale. The two loading bays will increase capacity and booking slots for customers, as well as minimise operational downtime. The facility will also be able to accommodate 40-footer trucks, where the current one can only handle 20-footers.

To study best practices and explore various possible solutions that could meet customers’ needs, the team travelled overseas to learn how other companies have developed their LNG truck loading stations.

The team visited overseas sites to explore the options available and study best practices

“We also examined areas of improvement in our current setup. For example, our facility currently uses a coupling tool that tends to wear down quickly. From our overseas visits, we saw that others have switched to a different type of connection that can withstand higher frequency use,” Shennie explained. “This not only improves service reliability but also reduces downtime.”

A cross-functional project team was also set up, comprising stakeholders from SLNG’s operations, commercial, and IT business groups. A workshop was held at the early stages of the project planning for everyone to come together to surface and work out issues – from scheduling to system compatibility – and eventually align.

"That was when all the different and even opposing views were raised, and we spent much time and effort thrashing things out so that we could all land on common ground. That session took quite a lot out of us," she shares with a smile. But she also acknowledges that this kind of early, cross-functional alignment sessions aren’t an exception at SLNG – it's just how things are done here.

Making “Checking-In” a Breeze

As Project Manager, Tan Swee Thim is leading the charge to simplify and streamline the LNG truck check-in process at our new facility. What used to take up to 30 mins juggling paper forms, phone calls and manual verification, will soon be reduced to just a few seamless steps.

"Customers simply need to book their orders in advance," shares Swee Thim. "When the trucks arrive, the drivers will use their ICs to scan into the system. Our system instantly verifies their identity, matches it with the system order, and confirms if the drivers have completed the safety training. It also checks that the prime mover and tank are authorised, and verifies the validity of their licenses and permits."

Once cleared, the truck's order data syncs directly with the loading bay. "If there's no valid order, the truck won’t be allowed entry. This ensures safety, compliance and operational efficiency," he adds.

Smarter, Safer Operations

The design also extends beyond the digital systems to the physical experience at the loading point itself. The new facility is designed to enhance safety and reduce manpower requirements.

The current facility requires two operators to manage the flexible hoses. In the new facility, the loading bays will be fitted with hard loading arms that are mechanically supported, which will be more stable, and manageable by just a single operator.

“For safety, we will have an overfill protection system in place that will automatically shut down in case of an incident,” says Swee Thim. “Cold recirculation pipelines ensure cryogenic conditions are maintained for safe and efficient loading.”

Swee Thim collaborated closely with Suresh's team to make sure what worked on paper also worked in the field.

"We’ve designed every element with safety, efficiency and scalability in mind," he adds. “Cold truck loading for 20-footers can be completed in under 80 minutes, with precise custody transfer via a dedicated weighbridge. We also offer a full suite of services, such as degassing, depressurising and inerting. And all these processes are digitally integrated, with KPI dashboards and real-time tracking, so customers know exactly what’s happening at every stage.”

“From gate-in to gate-out, customers can expect a seamless, reliable experience. Just like a petrol kiosk, where you drive in, tap your card, fill up, and go.”

From Blueprint to Reality

With the groundbreaking ceremony over, the team is now focused on turning design into reality.

Building the facility. Commissioning the bays. Testing the systems. Training teams. Fine-tuning procedures. Double-checking every touchpoint and equipment to make sure everything works, reliably, every day. These will occupy much of the team’s time for the next year or so.

"The satisfaction comes from seeing everyone come together towards a shared purpose," says Suresh.

That patch of cleared ground? It’ll soon be where all the pieces fall into place – a testimony to thoughtful design and collaborative teamwork. 

Captain Suresh, Swee Thim & Shennie