Singapore named top global maritime centre for 12th straight year

This was attributed to its high container throughput, consistent transhipment activity, and position as a global bunkering hub.

Singapore has been ranked the world’s leading maritime centre for the 12th straight year, according to the 2025 edition of the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

The ISCD Index assesses 43 maritime cities and regions globally, measuring performance across key areas such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, legal and shipbroking), and the general business environment.

The index is widely referenced by shipping companies, port investors, and service providers for benchmarking and investment decisions.

Singapore’s continued lead was attributed to its high container throughput, consistent transhipment activity, and position as a global bunkering hub.

In 2024, Singapore handled a record of 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units in container traffic, and total vessel arrival tonnage exceeded 3 billion gross tons.

The port also supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel, maintaining its standing as the world’s largest bunkering port.