The Singapore $5 Workhorse:
A Twakow’s Untold Story in an Island Nation.
The Singapore Ship Series currency notes (1984–1999) pay tribute to the vessels that shaped our evolution into a global port. Notably, the $5 note features the twakow, a humble yet indispensable workhorse of our island nation.
In the 20th century, twakows managed the "last mile" of logistics, ferrying goods between ocean-going ships and Singapore riverside warehouses. This supported a thriving ecosystem along the Kallang River, where boatyards and sawmills hummed with the labor of skilled boatbuilders and Chinese migrants. While modernization eventually eclipsed these industries, they remain a foundation of our maritime DNA.
In this session, we go beyond nostalgia. We will hear from the speaker why these stories of migrant resilience and traditional craftsmanship remain relevant to our current maritime industry. By examining the lighter support and grit of the past, we gain fresh perspectives on the challenges of today’s port operations.
Join us to explore the interconnected worlds of lighter support, wooden boatbuilding, and the timber trade. We focus on the twakow—not just as a fading image on a banknote, but as a living blueprint for Singapore’s enduring maritime spirit.
