Port of Singapore
The Port of Singapore sits at the southern end of the Strait of Malacca, the main shipping channel between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Its location has made it, for decades, one of the world’s two or three busiest container ports and its single busiest bunkering port.
A transshipment hub
Unlike gateway ports that mainly serve their own hinterland, Singapore’s volume is dominated by transshipment: cargo arriving on one vessel and departing on another, often switching between major east–west trunk routes and regional feeder services. This role depends on tight turnaround times, deepwater berths, and an extensive network of liner connections.
Bunkering and maritime services
Singapore is the world’s leading bunkering port by volume, supplying fuel to vessels transiting the strait, and hosts a dense cluster of ship management, broking, classification, and legal services. The port is operated under the regulatory oversight of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), with terminal operations run by PSA International.
Harbor characteristics below are from NGA Pub. 150’s Keppel – East Singapore entry — the source lists the port’s constituent anchorages and terminals separately rather than one consolidated “Singapore” line.
Port characteristics
- Size / type
- Large, Coastal, natural
- Shelter
- Good
- Entrance restrictions
- Affected by swell, other factors
- Overhead limitations
- Bridges or power cables present
- Charted depths
- Channel12.5–13.7 m (41–45 ft)
- Anchorage20.1–21.3 m (66–70 ft)
- Cargo pier14.0–15.2 m (46–51 ft)
- Terminal infrastructure
- Cargo handlingCargo pier charted (14.0–15.2 m (46–51 ft))
Container-terminal handling is not classified by the WPI dataset, so this entry does not infer it.
- Mean tidal range
- 3 m
- Max. vessel size
- Over 152 m (500 ft) length
- Also noted
- turning area available
Facilities and services
The port is a first port of entry, has a U.S. representative, and requires an ETA message. Pilotage is compulsory, available, and advisable. Assist tugs are available. Pratique and a deratting certificate are available. Communications include telephone, telegraph, radio, radiotelephone, and air. Cargo can be worked at wharves and anchor.
The port offers medical facilities and garbage disposal. Fixed and mobile cranes are available, with lift capacity of over 100 tons. Available services include electrical services, navigation equipment repair, and electrical repair. Supplies on offer include provisions, water, fuel oil, diesel oil, deck supplies, and engine supplies.
Repair capability is rated major, there is a large drydock, and a small marine railway.
Notes and references
- NGA Pub. 150, World Port Index, 27th ed. (2019), index no. 50000, Pub. 174, chart 71247. Port characteristics are historical reference data; verify current depths, restrictions, facilities, and services with official notices.
- NGA World Port Index database (WPI.mdb), 2019. Facilities and services data.
- Record status: WPI-classified port.