The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officially opened its new Marine Division Headquarters at Pulau Brani on June 19, 2026, aiming to enhance maritime emergency response capabilities [1, 2, 3]. The four-storey facility includes a dedicated ground control station for operating drones and supporting trials of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) with autonomous navigation and firefighting features [1, 2, 3].
Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong said SCDF officers can remotely pilot the USV while transmitting real-time data to deployed vessels and the Integrated Command Centre, enabling better situational awareness and faster responses in high-risk incidents [1]. The new HQ supports multi-agency coordination for emergencies such as ship fires and chemical, biological, and radiological incidents [3].
Training facilities at the headquarters include a height rescue platform and a tunnel simulating ship interiors to provide realistic practice scenarios [3]. SCDF currently uses a range of robots and drones, including aerial drones for site views and remotely operated underwater vehicles for search-and-rescue [1, 2].
The opening follows a major maritime emergency in February 2026 when the World Legacy cruise ship caught fire while in Singapore waters, involving some 700 passengers and crew. SCDF managed the evacuation and firefighting efforts, though one crew member died. The incident highlighted the importance of swift situation assessment and coordination, Law Minister Edwin Tong said [1, 2, 3].
Singapore’s busy waters see over 130,000 vessel calls annually, requiring advanced emergency readiness [3]. The Marine Division HQ was first announced in 2024 as part of preparations for the new megaport in Tuas, which is planned for completion by 2040 and expected to increase port activity [1, 2].
To strengthen capabilities, SCDF plans to add three more marine vessels to its fleet by 2030, focusing on firefighting and maritime security [1, 2]. The new headquarters aims to enhance data sharing and coordination between unmanned vessels, deployed units, and command centers to improve maritime emergency responses [1, 2, 3].
