Shipping Tonnage and Vessel Calls

The Singapore port achieved a new record for shipping tonnage that totalled 960.1 million gross tons (GT). This is 5.5 per cent higher than the 910.2 million GT handled in 2000. With the new benchmark, Singapore looks set to remain the world's busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage.

Container ships were the primary contributor with 337.2 million GT or 35.1 per cent of the total shipping tonnage. Next highest were tankers with 304.3 million GT (31.7 per cent of total shipping tonnage). Bulk carriers contributed 166.4 million GT (17.3 per cent of total tonnage).

In terms of vessel arrivals, the port attracted a total of 146,265 calls in 2001, up 0.6 per cent from 2000.

Bunker Sales

In the area of bunker sales, a total of 20.4 million tonnes of bunkers were sold in 2001. This new achievement surpassed the previous record of 18.9 million tonnes sold in 1999. The 9.1 per cent increase outstripped 1999's bunker sales growth of 4.6 per cent.

The new record bolstered Singapore's top bunkering port status in the world last year. It also reaffirms the Republic's continuing attraction as a major bunkering port.

Container Throughput

For container traffic, the Singapore port handled a total of 15.6 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) in 2001, down 8.9 per cent from 2000's 17.1 million TEUs. The total cargo handled for 2001 was 313.3 million tonnes, down 3.8 per cent from 326 million tonnes in 2000.

On the port's performance, Mr Chen Tze Penn, Director-General, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said, "2001 was a tough year for the Singapore port set against a backdrop of poor economic conditions and regional competition. In spite of the economic downturn, the port did turn in a commendable performance. While Singapore's container and cargo throughput dipped, they were bolstered by our impressive growth in shipping tonnage and bunker sales. To meet the challenges ahead, we will continue to review policies, improve service quality, innovate and invest in infrastructure, human resources and technology so as to maintain our status as a major transhipment hub and international shipping centre.

End of release.