This was largely caused by the overall slump in Asia-Europe volumes, compounded by developments such as the rebalancing of volumes across alliances agreements, and an increase in direct sailings due to lower bunker prices.
However, vessel arrival tonnage grew 5.6%, while Singapore remained the world’s top bunkering port with a 6.5% increase in volume of bunkers sold.
To help the container lines cope with the challenging economic environment, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and PSA Corporation Limited (PSA) have proactively worked on a suite of help measures.
From 15 January 2016, MPA will be granting an additional 10 per cent concession on port dues for container vessels calling at the Port of Singapore, if they are carrying out cargo works with a port stay of not more than five days. The additional concession will be in place for one year, and will be granted on top of existing port dues concessions such as the Green Port Programme incentives and the 20 per cent concession first introduced in 1996. In all, these concessions are expected to amount to more than S$17 million in annual savings for container lines.
PSA will also put in more resources to help their customers through this period. PSA is working with their customers to enhance vessel productivity at the port and optimise network planning activities such as service deployments and phasing in and out of vessels, with the aim of lowering their operational costs. PSA is also actively engaging container lines which wish to establish a long-term strategic presence in the Port of Singapore.
The measures were announced by Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, at the Singapore Maritime Foundation New Year cocktail reception today. In his address, Mr Khaw added that “the measures are another reflection of the Singapore Government’s consistent commitment to stand with and help our partners through challenging times”.
Vessel Arrival Tonnage
Annual vessel arrival tonnage reached 2.50 billion gross tonnage (GT) in 2015, a 5.6% increase over the 2.37 billion GT achieved in 2014. Container ships, bulk carriers and tankers were the top contributors, each accounting for about 30 per cent of total vessel arrival tonnage.
Container and Cargo Throughput
Container throughput totalled 30.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in 2015, a drop of 8.7% the 33.9 million TEU registered in 2014. Total cargo tonnage handled last year also decreased by 1.1% over 2014 to reach 574.9 million tonnes.
Bunker sales
Singapore remained the world’s top bunkering port in 2015. The total volume of bunkers sold in the Port of Singapore grew 6.5% to register 45.2 million tonnes, compared to 42.4 million tonnes in 2014.
The Singapore Registry of Ships
The Singapore Registry of Ships maintained its growth momentum last year. Compared to 2014, the total tonnage of ships under MPA’s register grew by 4.9% or 4.1 million GT. In 2015, the total tonnage of ships under the Singapore flag climbed to 86.3 million GT, from 82.2 million GT in 2014, consolidating Singapore’s position as one of the top five ship registries in the world.