1 February 2001
The Port of Singapore handled a record 910.18 million gross tons (GT) in shipping tonnage in 2000. This represents a 3.8 per cent growth from 877 million GT achieved in 1999. With this new benchmark, Singapore looks set to retain its title as the world's busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage, one which it has held since 1986.
Good growth in shipping tonnage was achieved by all major vessel types that had called at Singapore. Container ships alone contributed 37.1 per cent or 337.6 million GT of the total shipping tonnage. The shipping tonnage registered for tankers was 294.5 million GT or 32.4 per cent of the total tonnage, up 7.8 per cent from 1999. Bulk carriers contributed another 14.6 per cent or 132.5 million GT.
Vessel arrivals at the port also continued to grow steadily. Last year, Singapore attracted a total of 145,383 vessel calls, up 2.7 per cent from 141,523 in 1999.
Singapore's bunkering sector chalked up healthy sales of 18.65 million tonnes for 2000. While the bunker sales registered a marginal dip of 1.27 per cent from 1999's volume of 18.89 million tonnes, because of production cutback by local oil refineries and higher oil prices last year, Singapore remains in the lead as the world's top bunker port.
In terms of container traffic, the port handled a total of 17.09 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) in 2000. This was an increase of 7.2 per cent from 1999's 15.94 million TEUs. The total cargo handled for 2000 stood at 326.11 million tonnes.
On the port's performance, Mr Chen Tze Penn, Director-General, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), said, "The new shipping tonnage record of more than 900 million gross tons is indeed an achievement for the Port of Singapore given the highly competitive environment that we are now operating in. We look upon it as affirmation of the continued support given by the international and local shipping community, and their confidence in what our port can offer - fast, efficient and value-for-money port and maritime services. We will continue to work hard to ensure that our port retains its hub status."
Over the years, the MPA has adopted various measures to enhance the competitiveness of the Port of Singapore. MPA has for example extended the port dues concession of 20 per cent for container ships into 2001. First introduced in May 1996, the initiative has been reviewed on an annual basis and extended. As of November 2000, more than $22 million in rebates have been granted.
Tomorrow, 2nd February 2001 marks the 5th anniversary of the MPA as the regulatory body overseeing all port and maritime matters in Singapore.
End of Release.
