Singapore’s Tuas Port expands with new berths to address ship waiting times

Singapore’s Tuas Port is set to enhance its operations by adding three new berths later this year. The move comes in response to extended waiting times for ships, which have been exacerbated by shipping tensions in the Red Sea, leading to increased vessel arrivals. The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore announced this development to alleviate congestion and streamline container vessel handling at the port.

The diversion of vessels around the Cape of Good Hope has disrupted arrival schedules at major ports worldwide, resulting in what MPA refers to as a “vessels bunching” effect for container ships calling at Singapore. To mitigate this, the three additional berths will bring the total number of operating berths at Tuas Port to 11. These new facilities are specifically designed to accommodate the higher volume of container vessels arriving in Singapore.

Container volumes handled in Singapore during the first four months of 2024 reached 13.36 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking an impressive 8.8% increase compared to the same period last year. However, this surge in container traffic has led to longer waiting times for vessels seeking berths. The MPA acknowledges the impact on container ships but clarifies that resupply and bunkering activities for tanker and bulk vessels continue within the anchorages and remain unaffected.

Industry sources have reported that some shippers are experiencing extended waits for deliveries and transits at Singapore’s bustling bunker port. The rise in refuelling demand and port calls, driven by ship diversions, has put additional strain on the port’s resources. Despite these challenges, Tuas Port’s expansion aims to enhance efficiency and maintain Singapore’s position as a global maritime hub.