PORT OF SINGAPORE HANDLED 16.94 MILLION TEUS IN 2002

PORT OF SINGAPORE HANDLED 16.94 MILLION TEUS IN 2002    The port of Singapore handled a total container throughput of 16.94 million TEUs last year, an increase of 8.8 per cent from the 15.57 million TEUs handled in 2001.
   The increase brings the box traffic of the major Southeast Asian port back to its level of 2000. In 2001, Singapore suffered a 9-percent fall in container traffic, largely because of the switch of Maersk Sealand to the competing Malaysian port of Tanjung Pelepas.
   The port of Singapore handled a total cargo volume of 335.12 million tons in 2002, up 6.9 percent from 313.49 million tons moved in 2001.
   The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has introduced various incentives to attract shipping lines. For instance, the authority has extended the port dues concession of 20 percent for containerships until June 30, 2004.