Pasir Panjang Port seen from Cyrene Reefs.
According to the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA), our port is the world's largest transhipment hub and handled the largest number of containers in the world. The port comprises terminals at Tanjong Pagar, Keppel, Brani and Pasir Panjang which "function as one integrated facility". These serve 200 shipping lines, which offer connections to 600 ports in 123 countries.
According to PSA, 10 new container berths will be added at Pasir Panjang Terminal over the next two years. The port expansion project have affected the shores of Labrador and may impact Cyrene Reefs.Singapore named best Asian seaport again
Robin Chan, Straits Times 23 Apr 09;
SINGAPORE has been named the best seaport in Asia for the 21st time in 23 years, beating Hong Kong and Klang in Malaysia.
It received the honour at the 23rd Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA) in Hong Kong last night.
'It is the support of ship owners and operators and international maritime communities that has helped maritime Singapore gain global prominence,' said Brigadier-General (NS) Tay Lim Heng, the outgoing chief executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
'Winning the award for the best seaport in Asia for the 21st time affirms the confidence the maritime community has in Singapore as its port of choice in Asia.'
The MPA was on hand to receive the award at AFSCA, an annual event organised by leading shipping and supply chain publication Cargonews Asia.
More than 12,200 readers of Cargonews Asia are polled to select best-in-class companies in 42 industry specific categories.
Singapore has won this category 21 times since 1987.
Last year was a good year for Singapore's maritime and port sector as it hit new highs in vessel arrival tonnage, container throughput and bunkering volumes.
Vessel arrivals rose by 11.1 per cent from the year before to hit 1.6 billion gross tons. It also handled 7.1 per cent more containers at 29.9 million 20-foot equivalent units - the most in the world - and sold a record 34.9 million tonnes of bunker fuel.
But Asia's best port faces a challenging year with the global slowdown.
Container traffic has been in decline month-on-month since July last year but rebounded last month.
However, on a year-on-year basis it is still in the red, falling 14.6 per cent in March over the previous year, a smaller decline than in February.
Global container traffic growth is expected to slow to 2.8 per cent this year, and the World Trade Organisation sees world trade shrinking by about 9 per cent.
The MPA has instituted a slew of measures to help lower costs for shipping companies, including granting an additional 10 per cent port dues concession for all ocean-going ships with harbour stays under 10 days.
New highs for last year
- Vessel arrivals: 1.6 billion gross tons last year, up by 11.1 per cent from year before
- Container throughput: 29.9 million 20-foot equivalent units - or 7.1 per cent more containers - the most in the world
- Bunkering volume: Sold a record 34.9 million tonnes of bunker fuel
