The Port of Singapore won the 'Best Seaport in Asia' award at the 28th Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA) held in Shanghai on 17 June 2014, the company said in its press release.
Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said, "Singapore is honoured to receive the 'Best Seaport in Asia' award. We will continue to invest in infrastructure and introduce initiatives to ensure that the Port of Singapore remains a premier global hub port and a preferred port of call, and at the same time advance the cause of sustainable development."
The Port of Singapore edged past strong contenders, the Port of Shanghai and Port of Shenzhen to clinch the 'Best Seaport in Asia' award for the 26th time. The nominees were judged on a range of criteria, including cost competitiveness, container shipping-friendly fee regime, provision of suitable container shipping-related infrastructure, timely and adequate investment in new infrastructure to meet future demand and the facilitation of ancillary services.
The Port of Singapore maintained its global lead in bunker sales, and achieved good growth in annual vessel arrival tonnage, container and cargo throughput in 2013. Its annual vessel arrival tonnage reached 2.33 billion gross tons (GT). Its container throughput hit 32.6 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), while total cargo tonnage handled reached 557.5 million tonnes. The total volume of bunkers sold in the Port of Singapore remained the highest in the world, at 42.7 million tonnes. The total tonnage of ships under the Singapore Registry of Ships was 73.6 million GT, putting Singapore among the top 10 ship registries in the world.
About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.