PSA may face schedule disruption if Suez canal blockage is prolonged

Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung warns that supplies to Singapore may be delayed by one to two weeks.

PSA Singapore may see schedule disruptions of the blockage in the Suez canal is prolonged, according to Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung.

“Many of us would have read about the 400 metre-long container ship that has been wedged across the Suez Canal. It was blown off course due to strong winds, and now blocks one of the busiest waterways in the world that provide passage for around 10% of all global seaborne trade,” Ong said in a Facebook post.

The minister said that in contrast, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore provide passage for about one-third of global seaborne trade with the two closely connected.

Ong then compared the blockage to a big tree falling across CTE.

“Every other expressway linked to the CTE will be affected. It can mean supplies to the region may be temporarily disrupted. Should that happen, some draw down on inventories will become necessary,” he wrote.

Supplies coming to Singapore and Asia may be delayed by up to one to two weeks as ships sail around the African continent.

“If the disruption is prolonged, PSA may see schedule disruptions when shipping lines reroute their journeys. It will have to plan ahead and ensure that operations remain smooth,” he said.