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Maritime hubs


          handling, draft, and length of container   insurers, and financial institutions,
          berths. Additionally, the index assesses   many of which continue to offer green
          the overall business climate, taking into   finance solutions to the maritime sector.
          consideration customs duties and the   The UK government has launched a series
          performance of the supply chain.  of funding rounds to support the green
          According to the 2025 report, Singapore,   and digital transition of the maritime
          London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai,   transport sector. It has also announced
          and Rotterdam maintained their posi-  a number of important laws to protect
          tions in the top six shipping hubs due to   seafarers’ rights, including the Sea-
          their continued important role in provid-  farers’ Wages Act to improve working
          ing essential shipping services, advanced   conditions and protect wage rights, and
          port infrastructure, and alignment with   the launch of the Seafarers’ Charter, in
          global environmental regulations.  partnership with France, to strengthen
          Singapore, with an impressive score of   employment protection for crews.
          99.5/100, maintained its dominance for   Following the challenges of COVID-19,
          the twelfth consecutive year, marking a   China’s ports are once again demon-
          series of firsts across the shipping value   strating their resilience and significant
          chain, particularly at its renowned port.   role as major shipping hubs. In this con-
          The report notes that, amid geopolitical   text, it is not surprising that Shanghai
          upheavals and changing trade patterns,   ranks third (81.01) in the ISCDI Report’s
          Singapore  continues  to  maintain  its   ranking of the top shipping centres. In
          unwavering commitment and strate-  2024, container traffic increased by
          gic vision. In 2024, its container traffic   4.8% to more than 51.5 million TEUs.
          increased by 5.4% to reach its highest   The continuing expansion and upgrad-
          level at 41.12 million TEUs. The previous   ing of its port facilities have played a
          record was set in 2023, with 39 million   decisive role in this growth. The com-
          TEUs. At the same time, marine fuel sales   pletion of new berths at the Yangshan
          also set a record, reaching 54.92 million   Deep Water Port, together with the
          tonnes, surpassing the 2023 record (51.82   introduction of additional automated
          million tonnes). Moreover, it is worth not-  handling  equipment,  significantly
          ing that Singapore’s maritime potential   increased the management capacity
          extends beyond its port. Last year, 30   and operational efficiency of the Port of
          maritime industry companies were estab-  Shanghai. In addition, the port’s proac-
          lished or opened branches in Singapore,   tive approach to environmental sustain-
          and, according to the report, around 200   ability is noteworthy. In 2024, Shanghai
          international shipping groups are based   made significant strides in reducing its
          in the country.                  carbon  footprint  by  adopting green
          London, which found itself in second   technologies and practices. Initiatives
          place with a score of 81.02, remains one   such as the use of shore-side power for
          of the world’s leading maritime centres   ships at berth, the investment in elec-
          for maritime services, including a world-  tric and hybrid port equipment, and the
          class legal system. Moreover, the UK   implementation of energy-efficient sys-  Table 1:
          capital hosts some of the world’s larg-  tems have helped reduce emissions and   The top five shipping centres (2021-2025)
          est shipbrokers, ship managers, marine   promote sustainable port operations.  Source: International Shipping Centre
                                                                             Development Index Report
              Ranking           2025             2024            2023             2022            2021

                 1            Singapore        Singapore       Singapore        Singapore       Singapore

                 2             London           London          London           London          London

                 3            Shanghai         Shanghai        Shanghai         Shanghai        Shanghai

                 4            Hong Kong       Hong Kong        Hong Kong       Hong Kong        Hong Kong

                 5              Dubai           Dubai            Dubai           Dubai            Dubai


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