PSA International handles record container volumes of 91.5 million TEUs globally in 2021

PSA International handled record container volumes of 91.5 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) at its port projects around the world in 2021.

The group owned by state investor Temasek said in a media release on Friday (Jan 14) that the volume increased by 5.6 per cent over 2020, with its flagship operations PSA Singapore contributing a record 37.2 million TEUs, up 1.6 per cent; and PSA terminals outside Singapore handling 54.3 million TEUs, up 8.4 per cent.

Each TEU is the standard dimension of one shipping container.

Tan Chong Meng, PSA group CEO, expects supply chain issues to remain in 2022 but he also believes there are opportunities that the port operator could seize to remain relevant.

At 37.5 million TEUs, the Republic managed to retain its pole position as the world's busiest container transhipment port in 2021.

In total, Singapore handled 599 million tonnes of freight in 2021, higher than the 2020 numbers but lower than those in some of the years pre-pandemic, data released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore earlier on Thursday showed.

Vessel arrival reached 2.81 billion gross tonnage, marginally lower than that clocked in 2020.