Final Delivery of Shield Machines to Singapore Subway

 Tokyo, February 6, 2006 – Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. today announced it has completed delivery of eight shield machines destined for subway construction work in Singapore. The delivery fulfills two orders placed by Taisei Corporation, the first in December 2003 for two earth-pressure balanced shield machines (diameters 6.61 m) and two slurry shield machines (diameters 6.63 m), the second in October 2004 for four slurry shield machines (diameters 6.63 m).

 The machines will be used to construct Singapore's 33 km-loop Circle Line subway, managed by the island nation's Land Transport Authority. By combining shield tunneling technology for soft ground with tunnel boring machine (TBM) technology for hard rock and gravel layers, these shield machines are able to excavate a wide range of soil and rock compositions. They are equipped with an articulation mechanism, which allows them to excavate the curved sections, and also incorporate Kawasaki's proprietary roller cutter replacement system.