Maritime sector sees 10.1% growth in shipping tonnage in 2009

Source: Channel news Asia

Singapore has maintained its position as a leading port despite the global economic slowdown. The country's maritime sector recorded a 10.1 per cent growth in shipping tonnage in 2009.

According to the latest numbers from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday, vessel arrivals in terms of shipping tonnage reached 1.78 billion gross tonnes last year.

Container ships were the top contributor, accounting for 31.4 per cent of the total vessel arrival tonnage. That was followed by tankers, which contributed 29.6 per cent to the total figure.

MPA said container and cargo throughput hit 25.9 million standard containers or 20-foot equivalent units last year, down 13.5 per cent from 2008.

The total cargo tonnage handled by the Port of Singapore last year dipped 8.9 per cent to 469.6 million tonnes. Meanwhile, bunker sales rose 4.2 per cent to 36.4 million tonnes in 2009.

MPA added that Singapore's ship registry grew 4.4 per cent or 1.9 million gross tonnes.

The total tonnage of ships under the Singapore flag stands at 45.6 million gross tonnes as of end-2009.