The transformation of the logistics sector is expected to achieve a value-add of S$8.3 billion over the next five years, said Trade and Industry (Industry) Minister S Iswaran at the launch of the roadmap.

“The Logistics Industry Transformation Map will support enterprise-level efforts to transform and grow through productivity and innovation. It aims to nurture a strong Singaporean core through talent development. This will in turn help our companies, in particular our SMEs, to scale up and internationalise,” Mr Iswaran said.

Under the roadmap, the Government will work with key enterprises to implement new technologies and invest in infrastructure solutions that will support automation. This includes next-generation facilities with high specification units that encourage the co-location of companies.

To help boost innovation, the Government will also work with research institutions and universities to develop capabilities in the logistics and supply chain management areas. Centres of Innovation and Centres of Excellence will also be established to help companies build differentiating capabilities.

“Rank-and-file jobs will require more skills, while new professional roles will also emerge,” Mr Iswaran said.

A skills framework to provide information on career pathways, job roles and the requisite skills and wages for jobs in the logistics industry will be launched by mid-2017, he added.

The roadmap was launched at a groundbreaking ceremony at JTC Logistics Hub @ Gul. During the event, JTC and the Container Depot Association of Singapore also signed an agreement to develop a new traffic management system for the new logistics hub. The system is expected to help optimise traffic flow within and around the facility, which is slated to be completed by 2019.

The JTC Logistics Hub @ Gul will house container depots, warehouses and a heavy vehicle park. By housing various functions at a single location, logistics operators can reduce travelling time on the road, JTC said.