Singapore shipping tonnage passes 1-billion mark early

The arrival last Thursday of the 50,243-gross-ton containership APL Australia saw the Port of Singapore pass the one billion gross tons shipping tonnage mark in the fastest time recorded.

The milestone was achieved a month ahead of last year and four months ahead compared to 2004.

Over the past few years, vessel arrivals in terms of shipping tonnage have registered double-digit increase. This new high in terms of timescale for the one billion breakthrough signals that 2008 may very well be another record breaking year for the Singapore port, said Capt. M. Segar, group director (hub port), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In 2007, the MPA recorded shipping tonnage of 1.46 billion GT, up 11 percent over 2006. 

Source: American Shipper