Singapore as a leading Maritime City - a roadmap for the future

IN January 2022, Singapore took the top position in the Leading Maritime Cities of the World report for a fifth consecutive time. The global benchmarking study by the Norwegian classification society DNV and Oslo-based consultancy Menon Economics also ranked Singapore first in the two categories of 'Attractiveness and Competitiveness', and 'Maritime Technology'.

This accolade was by no means accidental. Singapore's success as an international maritime centre has been founded on many factors, from growing a cluster of maritime services companies to complement its strategic port location, to ensuring that Singapore remains an attractive ecosystem for businesses. Such efforts have paid off. Singapore also proved resilient amid pandemic-led disruptions to the global supply chain, continuing to serve as a one-stop, catch-up port in helping to ease supply chain bottlenecks.

The coming decade is set to bring new challenges. Advancements in vital fields such as energy and technology will impact and transform the maritime sector. As other maritime cities continue their research and development (R&D) investments to advance green technology and sharpen their technological edge, competition will only become keener.