Singapore's container ports had a good first quarter with PSA terminals here seeing a close to 12 per cent rise in throughput over the same period a year ago, while Jurong Port had a good run for March, notching up good increases in percentage terms.
Container throughput for PSA rose from 6.36 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 7.12 million in the first quarter till March - a jump of 11.9 per cent. March box numbers came to 2.49 million TEUs from 2.22 million previously.
Over at Jurong Port, March throughput rose 7.35 per cent from 68,000 TEUs to 73,000 while first-quarter 2008 throughput hit 207,000 TEUs, down from 220,000 previously.
Preliminary figures for March from the Maritime Port Authority show that overall throughput for Singapore rose 10.5 per cent to 2.56 million TEUs, from 2.29 million previously.
The container throughput numbers show that the container transhipment market, which plays a big part in the health of Singapore's port industry, remains largely intact. While recent re-allocation of tonnage and rerouting of some services have hit some other ports in the region, Singapore's hub status continues to hold it in good stead.
PSA's investments in more efficient systems and better cranes and hardware and the dedicated terminal relationship that it has with some of the lines are also paying off.
Container throughput for PSA rose from 6.36 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 7.12 million in the first quarter till March - a jump of 11.9 per cent. March box numbers came to 2.49 million TEUs from 2.22 million previously.
Over at Jurong Port, March throughput rose 7.35 per cent from 68,000 TEUs to 73,000 while first-quarter 2008 throughput hit 207,000 TEUs, down from 220,000 previously.
Preliminary figures for March from the Maritime Port Authority show that overall throughput for Singapore rose 10.5 per cent to 2.56 million TEUs, from 2.29 million previously.
The container throughput numbers show that the container transhipment market, which plays a big part in the health of Singapore's port industry, remains largely intact. While recent re-allocation of tonnage and rerouting of some services have hit some other ports in the region, Singapore's hub status continues to hold it in good stead.
PSA's investments in more efficient systems and better cranes and hardware and the dedicated terminal relationship that it has with some of the lines are also paying off.