Singapore achieved excellent port and maritime growth in 2005. This is reflected in the new records set by the Singapore port in shipping tonnage, container throughput, cargo throughput, bunker sales and ship registration. The port and maritime achievements were announced by Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister of State for Finance and Transport at a maritime industry event today.

Shipping Tonnage

The Singapore port retained its position as the world's busiest port for shipping tonnage. For the second time in Singapore's maritime history, total vessel arrivals in terms of shipping tonnage crossed the one billion mark with 1.15 billion gross tons (GT) in 2005. This new record outstripped 2004's 1.04 billion GT by 10.5 per cent year-on-year.

Container and Cargo Throughput

Container traffic1increased by 8.7 per cent1to hit 23.2 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in 2005 from 21.3 million in 2004, setting a new record for the Singapore port. A healthy growth rate was also recorded for cargo throughput. The total cargo tonnage handled by the port rose by 7.6 per cent year-on-year to 423 million tonnes in 2005.

Bunker Sales

Singapore fared extremely well in bunker sales. For the first time in our port history, sales of ship fuel here crossed the 25 million tonnes mark.The new record surpassed 2004's sales of 23.6 million tonnes by 8.1 per cent,securing Singapore's position as the top bunkering port in the world.

The Singapore Registry of Ships

Another new best was in the registration of ships under the Singapore flag. As at end December 2005, the total tonnage of ships on our register was 33 million GT, an impressive double-digit growth of 19 per cent from 27.7 million gross tons a year before. With the more than 3,200 Singapore-registered ships, Singapore has 5th largest merchant fleet in the world, also the largest in Asia.

NEW BUNKERING FACILITIES

To enhance Singapore's port competitiveness, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua also announced the opening of four new special bunkering anchorage slots by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to boost its multi-billion bunkering business. The four new slots will add to the existing 12 slots, bringing the total number of slots available in the Eastern sector of the port to 16. Catering to the increasing number of vessels lifting bunkers in the East, the additional bunkering facilities will raise Singapore's special bunkering anchorage capacity by about 30 per cent.

As a bonus, vessels of 20,000 gross tons and above, and which stay in port for 24 hours or less, taking bunkers in the new slots will qualify for the Special Bunkering Anchorage Scheme. Under this Scheme, the MPA grants concessionary port dues of more than 40 per cent at S$1 per 100 GT.

This port dues concession will help lower the operational costs of ship owners, charterers and operators who choose Singapore as the port of choice for bunkering.

End of Release.

Singapore's Shipping Tonnage, Container Throughput and Bunker Sales - 2001 to 2005

About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996 as a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport with the key functions of developing and promoting Singapore as a premier global hub port and an international maritime centre, and to safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. As the designated 'Champion Agency', the MPA is tasked with expanding the Singapore maritime sector by developing a strong and attractive cluster of ancillary services. These range from, among others, ship broking/management, marine insurance/finance, maritime legal/arbitration services, R&D initiatives, and manpower expertise.

Attached:
Speech by Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister of State (Finance and Transport)

Location Chartlet of New Bunkering Slots in Singapore Port