THE Port of Singapore has recorded three billion gross tonnage in annual vessel arrival tonnage as at Monday (Dec 25).

Singapore-flagged container vessel, ONE OLYMPUS, helped the port cross the three billion mark with its 98,799 gross tonnage. Annual vessel arrival tonnage is expected to hit just over three billion gross tonnage for 2023, up from 2.83 billion in 2022.

Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat noted that the Port of Singapore faces challenges from geopolitical tensions and conflicts. These include the recent disruptions to ships sailing through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal which the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) are monitoring.

Meanwhile, the development of Tuas Port is continuing, with three more berths under Phase 1 opened, bringing the number of operational berths to eight. Tuas Port Phase 2 has seen the completion of 70 per cent of reclamation works, with MPA exploring using materials from Semakau Landfill as an alternative to sand.

“Tuas Port will also be a green and sustainable port,” said Chee.

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Diesel-powered vehicles will be replaced by electric ones, halving carbon emissions from these vehicles, and buildings at Tuas Port will achieve about 60 per cent in energy savings, generating enough solar energy to offset electricity consumption.

MPA has also rolled out a just-in-time planning and coordination platform, digitalPORT@SG at Jurong Port and PSA terminals to make vessel turnaround more efficient. This reduces carbon emissions due to shorter port stays and better voyage planning, thereby benefiting port users with cost and time savings.

“This initiative will be rolled out to tankers berthing at energy terminals and to all vessels calling at the anchorages in 2024,” said Chee.