The Port of Singapore

The Port of Singapore has played a critical role in the Republic's transformation into a global trading power. Its strategic geographical location is one of the crucial factors that have made Singapore into the global hub for shipping that it is today. Other contributory factors include a strong and stable government, good infrastructure, a transparent legal system and state-of-the-art telecommunications.

The port's location at the crossroads of the main shipping routes has facilitated the Republic's development into a principal centre for shipping activities in Southeast Asia. It is a focal point for some 400 shipping lines linking Singapore to more than 700 ports in 130 countries worldwide. There are more than 800 ships in the port at any one time.

These ships can look forward to a variety of services, including cargo handling, warehousing, distribution, bunkering and ship supplies. Where necessary, the port also provides pilots and tugs to ships who may not be familiar with Singapore's waterways. The Port also provides round the clock security, environmental control and fire-fighting services at its six terminals at Tanjong Pagar, Keppel, Brani, Pasir Panjang, Sembawang and Jurong. These terminals can accomodate all types of vessels - container ships, bulk carriers, cargo freighters, coasters, lighters and passenger liners. Depending on their cargo, these vessels will either call at the oil terminals run by the petroleum companies or the terminals run by the PSA Corporation Limited and the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC). PSA Corporation operates the terminals at Brani, Keppel, Pasir Panjang, Sembawang and Tanjong Pagar, which deal in container and conventional cargo. Jurong Port, which handles conventional and bulk cargo, comes under the purview of the JTC. The Port of Singapore is run by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which acts as the sole regulatory body for the Republic's port and maritime affairs.