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ISSUE 47 PAGE 31

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

WE AIM TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONALITY,

REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT, AND,

AT THE SAME TIME, COLLECT MORE GARBAGE

AND FLOTSAM FROM THE ENVIRONMENT.

Higher Learning to overcome tough problems. “For operation,” Mr Ko reports. “We utilise a simple scoop-
example, we co-developed and patented a marine and-dump system on our vessels. This, coupled with
garbage compactor with the Centre of Innovation our specialised know-how, allows us to clear tons of
(Marine & Offshore Technology) at Ngee Ann waste efficiently on a daily basis.” The main reason for

Polytechnic that increased the collection volume of this self-reliance is that TSS has yet to be impressed
our vessels by 300%,” Mr Ko discloses. “This allowed by new proposals from other parties. “Many start-ups

us to collect more garbage from the ships in port are not staffed by maritime people; they had created
while maintaining the size of our fl eet, a clear leap table-top solutions to a real maritime problem that
in productivity gains.” This is refl ected in the fact have yet to perform to expectations when deployed
that TSS is able to service all ships that call into port at sea,” he analyses.
annually with only fi ve garbage-collection vessels.
For fl otsam retrieval, TSS prefers to use its own FACING THE FUTURE
methods. “Our vessel design is integrated with Mr Ko postulates that, as regional economies expand
operating procedures and a management system and grow in the coming years, the environment will
that has been continually improved over 20 years of pay a price.
In preparation for this outcome, TSS intends to take
advantage of the company’s culture of innovation and
ALL CLEAR: COMBATING MARINE PLASTIC POLLUTION technology. New vessels will be installed with a state-
“We launched All Clear around November 2019, as we were of-the-art system that can digitise collection of data

frustrated to see that an increasing proportion of flotsam we were and be linked to a cloud-based management system.
clearing was plastic,” reveals Mr Ko. More frustrating is the fact that TSS is also co-developing a marine debris forecasting
most of what TSS was collecting originated from other countries, system. “With regard to the volume of garbage from
and entered oceans via rivers, the real source of plastic pollution. ships, the increase will be gradual and we will make
Realising this, TSS intends for All Clear to provide a holistic solution use of our new management platform,” shares Mr Ko.
that empowers riverside communities, which often lack proper “This will help to improve our vessel deployment and
waste management systems, with the tools they need to stop to also reach out to shipping agents to get an idea of
throwing their plastic waste away. their needs before we service their vessels.” He adds
“Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we haven’t been able to enter that, should the engagement with shipping agents go
these countries,” Mr Ko laments. “We are now focusing on education well, TSS may provide them with access to the platform

and finding ways to instil change locally.” He adds that it is important so as to improve the efficiency of the services.

to find local partners aligned with TSS’ vision in order for All Clear to After three months of development, the
press forward. But even without being able to go full steam ahead, All management platform and marine debris forecasting
Clear has already won numerous admirers. “We have been receiving system are currently being trialled. “It was a challenge

many requests from volunteers who want to join our fi ght. Corporates to figure out how to simplify a complex system with

have also been interested to partner us,” shares Mr Ko. different operating profiles in order to enhance the
end-user experience,” reveals Mr Ko. “Nevertheless, we
managed to integrate these two systems into a single
infrastructure platform that can be toggled easily.”
Mr Ko feels that the COVID-19 outbreak
has shown how timely and vital a cloud-based
management system is. “Our system minimises the
need for our team members to interact face to face
as data, communications, and decision-making can
be made on the platform.”