Berthing delays in Singapore as liner congestion in South-east Asia ports hits historic high

PORT congestion level in South-east Asia is now at a historic high, with Singapore being among the ports hardest hit.

Ships calling at the Republic’s port will have to brace themselves for berthing delays triggered by the diversions caused by unrest in the Red Sea, and carriers skipping Malaysia’s Port Klang. The hold-up in the Republic’s port is said to be around four to five days; under normal circumstances, ships are berthed upon arrival, or at most, within half a day.

Data from S&P Global Commodity Insights showed that the Port of Singapore received 140 container vessels in the span of just four days – between May 20 and 23 – or a total of 999 for the month to Thursday (May 23). In contrast, there were 639 boxships that called at Singapore in April.