Singapore – A Maritime Marvel

At the 22nd Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA), recently organized by Cargonews Asia, a leading transport publication, Singapore was conferred the award for “Best Seaport in Asia”. The international award was received by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) acting chief executive Capt Khong Shen Ping. Winning this award has almost become a habituated practive for the MPA, because it is the 20 time it is bringing home the award eversince its first victory in 1987. Also at the same ceremony PSA bagged two prestegious awards. PSA International was named best global container operator for a fourth year, while PSA Singapore Terminals was voted Asia’s best container terminal for the 19th time.

MPA Singapore was voted as the best port based on several parameters including aspects such as cost competitiveness, container shipping-friendly regime, adequacy of investment in port infrastructure, visionary developments, and facilitation of ancillary services like logistics and freight forwarding., visionary developments, and facilitation of ancillary services like logistics and freight forwarding. More than 12,200 readers of Cargonews Asia were polled to select best-in-class companies in 42 industry specific categories. Award winners are regarded as industry benchmarks of excellence in their respective areas.

Singapore is strategically located in the Asia Pacific region and its seaport is the largest in the world in terms of shipping tonnage. With links to more than 600 ports world-wide, it is the focal point for more than 400 shipping lines. Singapore is also one of the world’s busiest ports in terms of shipping tonnage, the biggest bunkering port and fourth largest shipping registry. Singapore government and its agencies like MPA and PSA are keen on developing, promoting and sustaining Singapore as a premier global hub port and an international maritime center.

MPA, Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and QMax Communications Pte Ltd (QMax) have jointly set up and launched the WIreless-broadband-access for SEaPort, or WISEPORT, project, a part of the three-year S$12 million joint initiative by the MPA and IDA to promote the use of infocomm technologies in the port and maritime community. Activities that had to be done onshore, such as regulatory filings, electronic data exchanges and access to Internet-based applications, can now be replicated offshore. Ever since WISEPORT’s recent launch shipyards and marine engineering companies, shipping lines, terminal operators, technology companies and government agencies have expressed interest to deploy the technology.

Congratulating the MPA and PSA on their sustained success Ms. Ragini Dhanvantray CEO of Rikvin Consultancy says,

“Maritime industry has evolved to play an indispensable role in the regional economy and in Singapore it is a key enabler as its ripple effect has a synergetic influence on the other sectors as well, therefore it is natural that we focus our resources and policies to provide the best service and nurture a favorable regime for the operators. Technology, innovation and service are the key drivers of the industry and Singapore has always ensured the best of the three. The awards further endorses the efficiency of other associated networks such as marine insurance, finance, ship managers, ship brokers, shipping agents, logistics & supply Chain industry as well. It is for theses reasons international trading houses, or even small time traders choose Singapore to setup their companies here.”

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