Singapore has once again been recognised as the world’s leading maritime centre, securing the top spot in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index for the 12th consecutive year. This accolade underscores Singapore’s enduring dominance in the maritime sector, bolstered by its robust port infrastructure and comprehensive maritime services.
The Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index, a collaboration between the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, evaluates global maritime hubs based on factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, and the quality of maritime services like finance and shipbroking. Singapore’s consistent performance as a major transhipment and bunkering hub, coupled with its extensive network of maritime services, has kept it ahead of 43 other maritime cities and regions.
In 2024, Singapore achieved a record container throughput of 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and saw vessel arrival tonnage surpass 3 billion gross tonnes. Additionally, the Port of Singapore remains the world’s largest bunkering port, supplying 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel. The city-state is home to over 200 international shipping groups and a burgeoning number of maritime technology start-ups, further cementing its status as a global maritime innovation hub.
The Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Ang Wee Keong, expressed gratitude to industry partners and emphasised the importance of innovation and investment in digitalisation and green technologies. “We will continue to build on this momentum to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre,” he stated.
As Singapore continues to lead in maritime innovation, the sector is poised to create new career opportunities in areas such as digital systems management and sustainability, aligning with the global shift towards digitalisation and decarbonisation.
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