Singapore's port beat several records last year, against the tide of global economic uncertainty and challenges faced by the shipping industry.
The strong growth in shipping activity cemented the Republic's position as one of the world's busiest ports, as it retained the top spot in a number of industry-wide indicators.
According to advance data announced last night by Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, all-time highs for Singapore's port were achieved in terms of cargo and containers handled, tonnage of vessels arriving and bunker fuel sales.
The early data shows that the number of containers handled last year grew by 5.3 per cent to 29.9 million standard-sized containers, marginally exceeding 2008's record high, said Mr Lui.
In 2010, Singapore was overtaken by Shanghai as the world's busiest port in terms of containers handled. Last month, China released figures showing Shanghai handled at least 30 million containers, beating Singapore's latest figures. Vessel tonnage and bunker fuel sales also beat records set in 2010.
Total vessel arrival tonnage - which refers to the cargo-carrying capacity of ships calling here, rather than their weight - is projected to have grown 10.4 per cent to 2.12 billion gross tons last year. And sales of bunker fuel, a fuel type used by ships, are expected to have risen 5.6 per cent to 43.2 million tonnes.
In short, all these mean Singapore is right up there among the top ports of the world, holding the top spot in terms of vessel arrival tonnage and sales of bunker fuel.
Singapore is also one of the top 10 ship registries in the world. As of end-December last year, the total tonnage of ships under the Singapore flag had grown 17.6 per cent to 57.4 million gross tons.
The maritime sector plays a key role in the economy, employing more than 170,000 people and contributing 7 per cent of economic output.
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