in International Shipping News 12/07/2019
Based on objective factors including port throughput and facilities, depth and breadth of professional maritime support services, as well as general business environment, the report is a collaboration between the Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, and international freight benchmark provider, the Baltic Exchange.
Acquired by the Singapore Exchange (SGX) in 2016, the Baltic brings together complementary strengths of Singapore and London, two of the world’s most important maritime centres.
In the six years since this report has been published, there has been a general rise in the performance of Asian and Middle Eastern locations. The first report in 2014 included three European locations in the top five; in 2019 only London remains. The top five international shipping centres are Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai and Dubai.
Lu Su Ling, Head of Baltic Exchange Asia, says; “Singapore commands a strategic position as a maritime hub in the regional and global arena. The maritime industry is, and will remain, a big contributor to Singapore’s economy and it is therefore important that we continue to innovate and invest in this sector to achieve long-term success.”
“We are honoured to top the 2019 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index for six years running. It is a vote of confidence to the quality of services offered by the Port of Singapore, as well as the conducive business environment that facilitates an array of maritime activities in Singapore. This would not have been possible without the strong support from the maritime establishments, industry partners and unions. We look forward to an even closer working relationship to bring the Singapore maritime industry to even greater heights,” said Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Health.
Xu Yu Chang, President of The China Economic Information Service, a wholly-owned company of the Xinhua News Agency, says; “Shipping is an essential method of international trade transportation and has become a significant pillar in the evolution of globalisation. Over the years, the joint index by Xinhua and the Baltic Exchange has become a globally recognisable evaluation tool for shipping centres around the world. In the context of continued globalisation, I believe our index will play an even greater role in optimising the allocation of global shipping resources and promoting the scientific development of international shipping centres in the future.”
Based on the evaluation scores, Singapore shows strength in ship management and shipbroking services, while Hong Kong is benefiting from China’s Belt and Road Initiative and economicopportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. London’s first-class services in shipbroking, legal and shipping finance were highlighted. As important cities in emerging economies, Shanghai and Dubai are catching up with London in their level of shipping development, and were ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Table: Top 10 port cities of Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index
| Ranking | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| 1 | Singapore | Singapore | Singapore | Singapore | Singapore | Singapore |
| 2 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | London | London | London | London |
| 3 | London | London | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| 4 | Shanghai | Shanghai | Hamburg | Hamburg | Rotterdam | Rotterdam |
| 5 | Dubai | Dubai | Shanghai | Rotterdam | Hamburg | Hamburg |
| 6 | Rotterdam | Rotterdam | Dubai | Shanghai | Shanghai | Dubai |
| 7 | Hamburg | Hamburg | New York – New Jersey | New York – New Jersey | Dubai | Shanghai |
| 8 | New York – New Jersey | New York – New Jersey | Rotterdam | Dubai | New York – New Jersey | Tokyo |
| 9 | Houston | Tokyo | Tokyo | Tokyo | Busan | New York – New Jersey |
| 10 | Athens | Busan | Athens | Athens | Athens | Busan |
2019 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index report [PDF]
Source: The Baltic Exchange