Singapore Permits Night Movement Of Line-Towed Container Barges At Pasir Panjang Terminal

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), in partnership with PSA Singapore, has announced the permanent implementation of night movements for line-towed container barges at Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT) starting September 04, 2024.

The decision comes after a four-month trial involving six-barge operators.

The initiative aimed at improving port operations and reducing business costs will now allow container barges to operate between 7:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. daily.

Earlier, night movements for such barges were restricted to Brani and Keppel Terminals.

The new measures aim to fully utilize nighttime hours for transporting containers, enhance connectivity with regional ports, increase port efficiency, and reduce the amount of time container and feeder vessels spend at berth.

Each line-towed barge can transport an average of 300 TEUs.

The MPA will also implement several safety measures to manage night movements in addition to improving operational efficiency.

These include mandatory pilotage for barges, towing line length restrictions and thorough surveillance of barge movements by the MPA’s vessel traffic management system.

All night-time barge movements require prior approval from the MPA. The trial showed major improvements in the port operations.

Container handling times have reduced, with most ships completing cargo handling and bunkering within a day of arrival.

In July 2024, the average container berth wait time was reduced to less than a day.

The MPA has also addressed previous backlogs by commissioning new berths at Tuas Port, reactivating berths at Keppel Terminal, increasing the workforce, and improving shipping and feeder line scheduling.

The Port of Singapore witnessed a 6.1% increase in cargo volumes year on year, with 23.82 million TEUs handled in the first seven months of 2024.

The MPA’s continuous efforts to improve port operations have effectively reduced delays that had previously impacted neighbouring ports, with fewer vessels waiting at anchorage and a lower queue-to-berth ratio.

Reference: MPA

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