Port of Singapore retains crown as "Best Seaport in Asia"

Cost competitiveness just one of many strengths.

In a release, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced that the Port of Singapore once again clinched the ‘Best Seaport in Asia’ award at the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA), retaining its crown as Asia’s port of choice. The award was presented to Singapore for an unprecedented 25th time at the 27th AFSCA, which was held recently in Beijing.

The Port of Singapore was recognised for her cost competitiveness, container shipping-friendly fee regime, provision of suitable container shipping-related infrastructure, timely and adequate investment in new infrastructure to meet future demand and the facilitation of ancillary services, including logistics and freight forwarding facilities.

“We are honoured to receive this award once again. It is a strong validation of the confidence that our industry stakeholders have in the competitiveness of the Port of Singapore. We are heartened by their support and will continue in our commitment to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and an international maritime centre,” said Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Singapore was selected for the award ahead of strong competition from Busan, Dalian, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Klang, Laem Chabang, Manila, Ningbo, Tianjin, Shanghai Yangshan, Shenzhen and Tanjung Pelepas.

Despite the uncertain times facing the global maritime industry, the Port of Singapore performed well, achieving record figures in several areas last year. Container throughput crossed the 30 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units milestone for the first time and vessel arrival tonnage also reached a record high of 2.25 billion gross tons in 2012. Singapore also remained the world’s top bunkering port, registering bunker sales volumes of 42.7 million tonnes.