Singapore on Friday (11 July) said it has retained its ranking as the world’s top maritime centre, marking the 12th consecutive year it has led the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

Jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index provides an independent benchmarking of the world’s leading maritime hubs.

It evaluates factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, law and shipbroking), and the overall business environment.

The index is closely monitored by shipping lines, port investors, and maritime service providers to track market competitiveness, and inform investment location and service development decisions.

Singapore retained its top position among 43 maritime cities and regions, underpinned by its consistent performance as one of the world’s busiest transhipment and bunkering hubs, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services and expertise.

In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput – a record high – and saw total vessel arrival tonnage exceed 3 billion gross tons. The Port of Singapore also remains the world’s largest bunkering port, having supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel in 2024.

Home to more than 200 international shipping groups and a growing number of maritime technology start-ups, Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global node for maritime innovation and enterprise.

This growing industry base is also creating new career pathways in areas such as port operations, digital systems management, automation, maritime law, and sustainability – as the sector transforms to meet the needs of a more digital and decarbonised future.

“We thank our industry partners, the research and enterprise community, and our unions who have been instrumental in Singapore’s journey to become a leading international maritime centre and global hub port,” said Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

“We will continue to build on this momentum by innovating and investing in digitalisation, green technologies, and workforce development to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 July 2025

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) on Tuesday (8 July) introduced a policy brief examining how further reducing the global maximum allowable fuel sulphur content of bunker fuel from 0.5% to 0.1% could affect air pollution emissions and premature mortality from fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Currently, ships must adhere to a global 0.5% fuel sulphur limit and a 0.1% limit in ECAs, unless they use scrubbers. However, studies have found that ships using scrubbers with heavy fuel oil emit more particulate matter and black carbon emissions than those using marine gas oil.

The brief considered three compliance pathways:

1. Scrubber Max scenario in which ships that use very-low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) switch to high-sulfur heavy fuel oil (HFO) with scrubbers to comply;
2. Scrubber Allowed scenario in which ships that use VLSFO switch to marine gas oil (MGO) to comply;
3. Distillate Only scenario in which scrubbers are not allowed and ships that use HFO and scrubbers or VLSFO switch to MGO to comply.

In summary, the research found that relative to a baseline scenario based on 2023 ship activity data, reducing the sulphur content of marine fuels to comply with a 0.1% sulphur limit would:

• Mitigate air pollution. Across the three compliance scenarios, shipping-attributable sulfur oxide emissions are estimated to fall by 75%–85%, PM2.5 by 46%–66%, and black carbon by 27%–41%. The scenario prohibiting scrubbers yields the highest estimated emission reductions.
• Reduce premature deaths. The three compliance scenarios avoid between 3,900 and 4,500 premature deaths annually, with the most significant reductions achieved when scrubbers are not allowed.
• Deliver substantial economic benefits. Health-related economic benefits are estimated to range from $9.3 billion to $10.9 billion annually, depending on the compliance pathway.
• Incentivize cleaner fuels. A global 0.1% sulfur standard that promotes distillate fuel use would increase baseline fossil fuel costs and reduce the price gap between conventional and zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission fuels.

The complete policy brief Health and air pollution benefits of a global 0.1% fuel sulfur limit  on marine fuels can be obtained from the link here.

Photo credit: International Council on Clean Transportation
Published: 9 July 2025

International bunker trading firm Integr8 Fuels on Monday (7 July) shared its new report ‘Mediterranean ECA: Immediate Operational and Commercial Impact of Implementation’ which provides the first comprehensive analysis of the rule’s effects on fuel quality and regional availability.

The data reveals a market in rapid transition, confirming some industry predictions while uncovering new, emerging risks for ship operators. The following key findings include:

1. Dramatic Supply Shift Confirmed: VLSFO Availability Contracts Sharply. VLSFO’s share of the Mediterranean fuel market has plummeted from over 60% in December to just 37.5% in May. In parallel, the number of ports supplying VLSFO has fallen by 47%, creating new logistical challenges for vessels that continue to use the grade.
2. VLSFO Instability Spikes as Supply Chain Adapts. Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) off specification rates more than doubled from 1.5% in December to 3.8% in May. Critically, one in four (25%) of these off-specs were for total sediment potential (TSP), indicating a rising risk of sludge formation that can damage engines. This trend appears linked to extended in-tank storage and the consolidation of older fuel stocks as demand slows and suppliers pivot away from VLSFO.
3. Persistent Flash Point Risks in Key LSMGO Hubs. Flash point non-conformance has increased significantly and now accounts for over two-thirds of all LSMGO off specs. Our data shows this is not a random problem, with over 75% of all flash point incidents concentrated in Spain, Turkey, and Italy, signalling a persistent potential for SOLAS violations in core supply zones.

Note: The full report may be obtained from Integr8 Fuels here.

Photo credit: Integr8 Fuels
Published: 8 July 2025