Singapore's container throughput grew 5.3 per cent in 2011 year on year, hitting 29.94 million TEU, surpassing the previous 2008 record by 0.1 per cent, according to official data.
But despite the record breaking achievement, Shanghai overtook Singapore as the world's biggest container port in 2011, handling 31.74 million TEU, noted Channel News Asia.
Containerships accounted for 31 per cent of the vessel arrival with tankers contributing 30.8 per cent. In terms of tonnage, total vessels calls at Singapore's ports last year grew by 10.5 per cent to 2.12 billion gross tons.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, addressing the Singapore Maritime Foundation, said the strong partnership between the government, industry and unions would help see the sector through its current difficulties. "Maritime Singapore will be poised to take advantage of opportunities that the tides bring in," he said.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement that Singapore is now home to more than 120 international shipping groups. The maritime cluster employs more than 170,000 people and contributes seven per cent to GDP, it said.
