Singapore holds top maritime city spot as 2025 port volumes hit record

Singapore has secured its title as the world’s leading maritime city for the seventh consecutive time, backed by record-breaking container throughput and bunker sales in 2025. The 2026 Leading Maritime Cities report by DNV and Menon Economics confirms the city-state as the primary global hub for owners and charterers seeking scale and bunkering reliability.

The report benchmarks cities using objective indicators and expert assessments across five pillars. Singapore maintained its leading position in three of these: Shipping, Ports and Logistics, and Attractiveness and Competitiveness. The city currently hosts over 200 international shipping groups and a broad network of maritime service providers.

Operational data from 2025 confirms the city’s dominance. The Port of Singapore handled a record 44.66 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and 3.22 billion gross tonnage in vessel arrivals. Marine fuel sales also reached a record 56.77 million tonnes, ensuring Singapore remains the world’s largest bunkering port.

Why it matters

For shipowners and operators, Singapore’s top ranking in attractiveness and competitiveness means it remains the most viable base for managing global fleets. The presence of over 200 shipping groups creates a density of expertise and networking opportunities that competitors have not yet matched. This ecosystem provides companies with direct access to specialized expertise and business opportunities that are harder to find in less concentrated hubs.

The record 56.77 million tonnes in bunker sales is a critical indicator for charterers and owners. As the industry moves toward alternative marine fuels, Singapore’s investment in new fuel infrastructure ensures it remains the most reliable refueling stop on major trade lanes. This reliability reduces the operational risk for vessels testing new fuel types or seeking consistent supply in a changing regulatory environment.

The 44.66 million TEU throughput shows that Singapore’s connectivity to 600 ports keeps it at the center of container logistics. For cargo owners and logistics providers, this scale provides more frequent sailings and better access to global markets. However, the report also shows that Singapore does not lead in the Maritime Finance and Law or Maritime Technology pillars. For owners and service providers, this suggests that while Singapore is the clear choice for physical operations and regional headquarters, other hubs still offer stiffer competition for specialized legal and financial services.

What to watch

Future data on the adoption of alternative marine fuels and the success of ongoing port automation projects will show if Singapore can leverage its bunkering lead to dominate the next generation of green shipping services. Continued investments in maritime digitalization will be the primary trigger for maintaining these volume records as regional competition for transshipment cargo increases.

Source: MPA Singapore