| Water Transportation |
The port of Singapore is the world�s best busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage. At any one time, there are more than 1000 ships in our port. This is due to the following:
Since the rapid industrialisation of Singapore in the 1960s led to an increase in port activities. More machinery and raw materials, such as rubber and tin, were imported for the industries while locally produced goods were exported. In order to cope with the larger volume of cargo, port facilities such as warehouses and docks were upgraded.
Singapore is also the world�s top bunkering port and one of the world�s largest oil-refining centers. All the major oil companies � Shell, Caltex, British Petroleum (BP) and Exxon Mobile � operate here.
There are two ports operators in Singapore � PSA Corporation and Jurong Port. Read on to find out about them.
In 1964, the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) was formed to take charge of port activities in Singapore. It operates four terminals at Brani, Keppel, Pasir Panjang and Tanjong Pagar and the two wharfs at Sembawang and Pasir Panjang. It also operates the Singapore cruise center (SCC) at World Trade Center. PSA Corporation has extended its services overseas in order to serve its customers better. It now operates 13 ports in 8 countries.
A year later, Jurong Port was set up to serve Jurong Industrial Estate. It handles mainly cargo such as cement and steel products.
Maritime and Port Authority (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) is responsible for all port and maritime affairs of Singapore. Besides ensuring navigational safety and protection of the marine environment in the port, it also manages the Singapore merchant fleet which is the largest in Asia. MPA also conducts training courses for the shipping industry. Singapore seafarers hoping to work on board merchant ships must be registered with the MPA.
The four terminals and the two wafts
The four terminals:
The two wafts:
PSA has redeveloped Maritime Square into a business and leisure centre. It has upgraded World Trade Centre to enhance the latter's position as a premier international convention and exhibition centre. PSA has also upgraded and expanded its Singapore Cruise Centre at World Trade Centre to improve Singapore's standing as a cruise-and-tourist hub.