Deltares and Singapore: a long history of collaboration and knowledge exchange
Expert(s) |
Mark Hegnauer
This year the Netherlands and Singapore mark a major milestone; 60 years of bilateral ties. These ties span across a range of topics, including water management, climate adaptation, and sustainable development. Deltares is proud to be part of this cooperation.
Deltares’ Singapore journey began in the 1980s with a temperature modelling study for the Senoko Incineration Plant in 1985. Our cooperation with our Singaporean colleagues has evolved into a deep and multifaceted partnership with Singapore’s institutions.
Deep bilateral ties
A key moment was the launch of the Singapore Delft Water Alliance (SDWA) in 2006, followed by the opening of the Deltares Singapore office in 2007. Since then, numerous joint research projects have been carried out with partners such as PUB, NUS, and TCOMS, focusing on urban water systems, marine ecology, and climate-resilient infrastructure. The very successful SDWA programme, resulting in numerous PhD and MSc research projects and a joint Master programme between NUS and TUDelft, was followed up by NUSDeltares – which is still active today.
In addition to technical collaboration, the partnership includes strategic and educational initiatives and regular delegation visits that foster ongoing knowledge exchange. In 2018, Deltares welcomed Singapore’s then-President, Halimah Yacob, and His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands during a state visit, further strengthening the deep bilateral ties.
Iconic projects
Over the years, Deltares has been involved in several iconic projects, such as the project on Marina Bay water quality and operational management, and the NEPTUNE project for NEA on monitoring and forecasting coastal water quality around Singapore. Deltares was also responsible for the pre-feasibility study for the innovative Pulau Tekong polder and acted as advisor throughout its development, contributing design expertise and facilitating knowledge exchange with Dutch stakeholders.
Recent efforts include publications on climate adaptation and the development of the Singapore Regional Model FM together with TCOMS, reinforcing Deltares’ commitment to innovative solutions for the challenges facing coastal regions.
“Our collaboration with Singapore exemplifies how knowledge exchange and joint innovation can contribute to a resilient future for both The Netherlands and Singapore, and basically all other low-lying coastal regions worldwide.
Mark Hegnauer, Head Deltares Singapore office.
Looking ahead
As Singapore continues to invest in smart, sustainable, and climate-resilient infrastructure, Deltares remains a committed partner in shaping the future. Upcoming initiatives include the development of next-generation hydrological and water quality models, digital twins for port operations, and advanced decision-support systems. Together, we aim to co-create solutions that not only serve Singapore but also inspire other regions across Southeast Asia and beyond.
