Port of Singapore – a Rich Maritime History
The Port of Singapore has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Here’s a brief overview:
Ancient Times
In the Late 13th century a port settlement known as Temasek was established on the northern banks of the Singapore River by a prince from Palembang. It was one of many port cities along the Strait of Malacca. The name “Temasek” is derived from the Malay word “tasik,” meaning “lake” or “sea,” and it translates to “Sea Town”. The settlement was mentioned in early Malay, Javanese, and Chinese literature.
In the 14th century, Temasek was a thriving trading port with two distinct settlements: Long Ya Men (meaning “Dragon’s Teeth Gate”) and Ban Zu (meaning “Old Market”). The name was later replaced by “Singapura” (meaning “Lion City”) in 1299, according to legend, when the Srivijayan prince Sang Nila Utama saw what he believed to be a lion on the island.
Later, in the 14th century, the port declined as Melaka became the key port of call.
Colonial Era
In 1819 Sir Stamford Raffles, a British Colonial official, arrived from Britain and established a trading post for the British East India Company. This marked the beginning of modern Singapore’s port history. Raffles was also involved in the capture of Java from the Dutch during the Napoleonic Wars and later served as the governor of the Dutch East Indies. His contributions to Singapore include establishing a free port, implementing a town plan, and instituting law and order. Despite his significant impact, his legacy is complex, as he was also an imperialist who projected colonialism onto the local population
The first chart of the Singapore Harbour was issued by the East India Company in 1820 and by 1851 the Horsburgh Lighthouse began operations on Pedra Branca.
Modern Developments
In 1964 The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) was formed to take over the functions of the Singapore Harbour Board and in 1972 Singapore became the first port in Southeast Asia to accommodate a third-generation container vessel. PSA was corporatised in 1977 and became known as PSA Corporation.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established in 1995 to maintain Singapore’s position as a hub port .
Today, the Port of Singapore is the world’s second-busiest port in terms of container volume and plays a crucial role in global maritime trade. In 2024, the port handled 41.12 million TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units), marking a significant increase since the global recession due to COVID-19.
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