More ships to call at S’pore? How the Iran war, tariffs are reshaping global sea trade
Geopolitical disruptions, including the Iran war, have redrawn shipping routes.
More ships to call at S’pore? How the Iran war, tariffs are reshaping global sea tradeBySue-Ann TanPublished: Jul 17, 2026, 01:00 PMScroll downFrequent visitors to Singapore’s East Coast Park may have noticed a busier coastline in recent months, with ships anchored offshore waiting to refuel or discharge cargo.Here is a look at the coastline in March, spanning a roughly 214 square km of waters.
Satellite images provided by Planet Labs showed about 208 ships in the eastern anchorage between Marina Barrage and Changi Airport on March 1, based on a count by The Straits Times.Satellite images provided by Planet Labs showed around 208 ships in the eastern anchorage between Marina Barrage and Changi Airport on March 1, based on a count by The Straits Times. PHOTO: SATELLITE IMAGE PROVIDED BY PLANET LABS PBCThat rose to about 318 on April 28, before easing to around 230 on June 13.
Not all will need to dock or unload cargo. They could be here to refuel or some ship-to-ship transfers may take place too.Some vessels also come to Singapore for repairs or for the transfer of supplies.
The observations based on the satellite images are broadly consistent with official data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).There were approximately 318 ships in Singapore waters off the East Coast of Singapore on April 28. PHOTO: SATELLITE IMAGE PROVIDED BY PLANET LABS PBCThere were roughly 230 ships in Singapore waters off the East Coast of Singapore on June 13.
PHOTO: SATELLITE IMAGE PROVIDED BY PLANET LABS PBCA mix of vessels come to Singapore, ranging from containers and tankers to barges and tugs.Not all will need to dock or unload cargo. They could be here to refuel or some ship-to-ship transfers may take place too.
Some vessels also come to Singapore for repairs or for the transfer of supplies.The observations based on the satellite images are broadly consistent with official data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).Container vessels and oil tankers in the fairway and rows of containers and fully-automated electric yard crane system at Pasir Panjang Terminal.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUIGeopolitical disruptions, including the conflict in the Middle East, have redrawn shipping routes, and this could lead to more vessels calling at the Republic in the future, say experts.Vessel arrivals in Singapore rose 6.3 per cent year on year in June to 11,520.
This brings the total number of vessel arrivals in the first six months of 2026 to 68,630, an increase over the 63,754 vessel arrivals over the same period in 2025.Meanwhile, cargo throughput increased to 307.9 million tonnes in the first six months of 2026, from 300.
7 million tonnes in the same period a year earlier.Port operator PSA Singapore told The Business Times on June 26 that vessel arrivals have surged, citing a combination of regional weather disruptions and mounting delays across global trade routes. Analysts added that the conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since February, has also prompted some cargo to be rerouted through Singapore.
According to Freight intelligence firm project44, the Republic has absorbed about 2 per cent of shipments originally destined for the Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates.Here is how the geopolitical tensions have reshaped global shipping, what it means for Singapore’s maritime sector, and whether the Republic stands to play a bigger role as trade routes continue to evolve.Ships anchored in the waters of the Singapore Strait in Sourthern Singapore on April 27.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG1. Singapore’s prominence as a global transshipment hub to growMore ships have been calling at Singapore recently, though the numbers have not exceeded pre-Covid levels, said Bernard Aw, chief economist for the Asia Pacific region at Coface.He noted that vessel arrivals had risen by 4.
7 per cent in 2025 to 131,821, although this remained about 10 per cent below the 2017 peak of 145,147.The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes, prompting carriers to adjust routing, fueling, and scheduling decisions, Aw said.“This has benefited Singapore, given its strategic location at the crossroads of major trade lanes: Asia–Europe, Asia–US, and intra-Asia.”
He added that Singapore’s political stability, strong insurance and legal frameworks, advanced ship repair capabilities, efficient crew change facilities, and access to financing, have also enhanced its appeal as a trusted maritime hub.Rows of containers and fully-automated electric yard crane system at Pasir Panjang Terminal on Oct 21, 2025. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUIOCBC chief economist Selena Ling said shipping companies remain cautious as geopolitical risks have yet to fully subside despite diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran.
“For resilience planning, more diversified route planning is still logical since the geopolitical risks have not fully faded.”She noted that since Singapore sits at the crossroads of major global
