Singapore’s container volume up 6 percent despite global tariff

According to a report on the Maasmond Maritime website, Singapore’s port handled 6.1 per cent more containers in the first four months of 2025 than in the same period in 2024, despite disruptions to supply chains caused by tariffs imposed by the United States.

That made interesting news for the U-Freight Group with our major regional logistics hub in the Lion City, offering a wide portfolio of international container shipping services, as well as airfreight and logistics operations.

Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said container throughput reached 14.18 million teu between January and April 2025, reports The Straits Times of Singapore.

“Container (throughput) has remained strong despite what’s happening around the world, with greater turbulence, uncertainty and shifts in global supply chains,” he said, adding that the government is continuing to monitor the fluid situation.

According to the media reports, he explained that the growth could have come from companies trying to front-load shipments ahead of the implementation of higher tariff rates by the Americans.

The reports added that when asked if there are contingency plans in the event of a slowdown in the medium term, Mr Chee said that this is being handled by the task force chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry.

“In the near term, we will be monitoring the situation and where necessary, the Government will intervene to help our companies and workers,” Mr Chee added. Mr Chee said Singapore can strengthen its competitiveness by making what he called “no-regret moves”.

These include investment in productivity improvements and technology, attracting new investment, and working with existing players to expand their operations in Singapore.

Mr Chee also said PSA will be recruiting more than 2,500 staff in 2025 to support the development of Tuas Port, which now has 11 berths in operation, with plans for another seven to be added by 2027. The roles include those in front-line port operations, information technology and data science.

Noting the role that technology can play to boost Singapore’s competitiveness and productivity, Mr Chee said that efforts like the trial to deploy autonomous vehicles at Pasir Panjang Terminal will help address the shortage of drivers of heavy vehicles.

For more information about the U-Freight Group’s international ocean 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.