The Singapore authorities are allowing line-towed barges to call the country’s largest container terminal the port as it seeks to improve efficiency, reports Seatrade Maritime.
Container vessels rerouting
A surge in volumes and bunching of vessel arrivals this year related to container vessels rerouting from the Red Sea to the Cape of Good Hope had caused congestion at the transhipment hub with some container vessels waiting seven days for a berth.
The port of Singapore handled 23.82 million teu in the first seven months of 2024, an increase of 6.1% over the same period in the previous year.
4 month trial completed
In another move to improve efficiency MPA and terminal operator PSA Singapore have successfully completed a four-month trial with six barge operators to allow the movement of line-towed barges from Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT) at night from 7 pm to 6:30 am.
Due to the complexities of navigation at PPT night movements of line barges had not previously been allowed at the terminal although was permitted at the smaller Brani and Keppel Terminals
The new rules take effect from 4 September and on average line towed barges have a capacity of 300 teu.
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Source: Seatrade Maritime
