Singapore throughput rises 14% to 20.6 million TEUs

Singapore throughput rises 14% to 20.6 million TEUs    Mega-port operator PSA Corp. Ltd. handled 20.6 million TEUs at its terminals in Singapore in 2004, 14 percent more than 2003.
   PSA attributed the increase to “a rebounding regional economy led by China’s rapid rise as a manufacturing base,” the port group said. PSA said 36 services started calling at its Singapore terminals in 2004.
   PSA Singapore Terminals is adding 15 new berths at its Pasir Panjang Terminal over the next five to seven years. Three of the new berths will be operational in 2005, adding to its existing 37 container berths.
   Twelve new quay cranes and 42 new yard cranes have been ordered to support these berths.
   The 15 new berths are expected to increase PSA Singapore Terminals’ annual handling capacity by 11 million TEUs to 31 million TEUs.
   Jurong Port, also located in Singapore, more than doubled its container throughput in 2004 to 711,000 TEUs, compared to 340,000 TEUs in 2003. The port said the increase was a result of new operators like United Arab Shipping Co. calling at the port, as well as existing customers introducing new services and larger vessels at the port.