Singapore port average waiting time reduced to less than a day

A surge in volumes and bunching of vessel arrivals this year related to container vessels rerouting from the Red Sea to the Cape of Good Hope had caused congestion at the transhipment hub with some container vessels waiting seven days for a berth.

The port of Singapore handled 23.82 million teu in the first seven months of 2024, an increase of 6.1% over the same period in the previous year.

According to the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) average waiting time was reduced to less than one day in July as old berths at Keppel Terminal have been reactivated and the commissioning of new berths in Tuas Port accelerated.

In another move to improve efficiency MPA and terminal operator PSA Singapore have successfully completed a four-month trial with six barge operators to allow the movement of line-towed barges from Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT) at night from 7 pm to 6:30 am.

Due to the complexities of navigation at PPT night movements of line barges had not previously been allowed at the terminal although was permitted at the smaller Brani and Keppel Terminals

“By enabling more containers to be delivered on barges throughout the day at PPT, this measure will improve connectivity with regional ports, enhance port efficiency, reduce the time container and feeder vessels spend at berth, and the need for containers to be transported between land terminals,” MPA said.

Related:Singapore port operator says vessel waiting time reduced to two days

The new rules take effect from today 4 September and on average line towed barges have a capacity of 300 teu.