Singapore named top international maritime centre again

U-Freight has a major regional logistics hub in Singapore, offering a wide portfolio of international freight and logistics services, and was pleased to read that the city-state emerged once again as the world’s top maritime centre in the 2025 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index report for the 12th consecutive year.

This annual report, now in its 12th year, ranks the world’s leading shipping centres based on a comprehensive evaluation of port factors, professional business services, and the general environment.

Published jointly by the Chinese state news agency Xinhua and global maritime data provider Baltic Exchange, the report lists Singapore as the leading global maritime centre, followed by London and Shanghai — unchanged from 2024’s ranking.

Singapore scored 99.50 out of a possible 100 points (up from 96.23 in 2024), while the maritime support services powerhouse of London once again secured second place with 81.02 points (from 82.50 points in 2024). Shanghai retained third place, with a score of 81.01 points (from 81.84 points), highlighting its significant role as a major port city in Asia.

Singapore’s enduring success is attributed to its strategic location, robust international outlook, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services, the ISCDI report said.

“This year’s rankings reaffirm the crucial role of established maritime centres like Singapore, London, and Shanghai, alongside emerging hubs, in providing the infrastructure and expertise needed to keep supply chains efficient and reliable amid persistent geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty,” said Mark Jackson, chief executive of Baltic Exchange.

The U-Freight Group congratulates all the leading shipping centres recognised in this report and remains committed to partnering with the global freight and logistics community to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for international supply chains.

For more information about the U-Freight Group’s international freight and logistics services to and from Singapore, as well as our network of offices around the world, visit the relevant pages on this website, or speak to your usual contact in our company.