Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) Chairman Mr Michael Chia said this year’s Sea Asia is also an opportunity to recognise Singapore’s position as an international maritime centre and
highlight the role the industry has played in the country’s growth.
“2015 is a big year with Singapore celebrating its 50th anniversary – a key milestone and opportunity to reflect on the sectors which have helped Singapore become what it is today.
“The maritime industry – which employs some 170,000 people in Singapore and contributes around 7 per cent of Singapore’s GDP – has played a key role in driving Singapore’s development and this trend is set to continue,” he said.
Estimates show that Singapore's container throughput for 2014 achieved another record high - 33.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) – growing by 4 per cent from 2013. Vessel arrival tonnage also rose by 1.9 per cent last year to 2.37 billion gross tonnage (GT) and Singapore continues to be the world's top bunkering port with 42.4 million tonnes sold in 2014.
“Singapore continues to cement its position as an international maritime centre and the increasing prominence of Sea Asia in the global maritime calendar demonstrates the country’s importance in addressing the sector’s challenges and opportunities,” he said.
Seatrade Chairman Chris Hayman said the new realities facing the industry such as falling oil prices, an unstable Eurozone and the emergence of new cargo generators such as Africa will be discussed in depth at Sea Asia 2015.
“These developments provide opportunities and challenges for the sector. Falling oil prices, for example, provide real opportunities for the shipping industry to reduce operating costs while creating challenges for the oil and gas industry”.
“Sea Asia 2015 is a critical opportunity for the global maritime and offshore communities to congregate in Singapore and share insightful perspectives on these issues affecting the various industry segments,” said Mr Hayman.
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