Singapore Named World's Leading Maritime City for Seventh Year

Singapore has once again earned global recognition, with Singapore named world's leading maritime city for the seventh consecutive time in the 2026 Leading Maritime Cities report released by DNV and Menon Economics. The assessment highlights the city-state's enduring dominance across key global shipping and logistics sectors. The comprehensive LMC report evaluates prominent maritime cities by combining objective indicators—such as port performance, shipping activity, and commercial services—with extensive evaluations from maritime industry professionals across the globe. In addition to its overall ranking, the Republic successfully maintained its leading position across three of the five core pillars assessed in the evaluation: shipping, ports and logistics, and attractiveness and competition. The remaining two pillars covered by the report are maritime finance and law, alongside maritime technology. According to a media release issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, this persistent recognition underscores the robust foundation of the nation's maritime ecosystem. The authority emphasized that this integrated environment successfully converges global connectivity, port capabilities, specialized talent, and continuous innovation. Ang Wee Keong, chief executive of the MPA, stated that the strength of the local maritime sector stems from the seamless integration of port connectivity, professional services, and skilled talent supporting international enterprises. He attributed the ongoing success to the combined efforts of industry partners, labor unions, and government bodies over successive years. Operating one of the busiest port networks globally, Singapore maintains maritime links with upwards of 600 ports worldwide. During the preceding year, container throughput at the port reached a record-breaking 44.66 million twenty-foot equivalent units, while vessel arrivals hit 3.22 billion gross tonnage. Furthermore, the jurisdiction retained its status as the premier bunkering port internationally, registering marine fuel sales totaling 56.77 million tonnes. > Singapore secures top global maritime ranking for the seventh consecutive year in new industry report. Ongoing strategic investments in port automation, alternative marine fuels, maritime digitalization, and technological innovation continue to reinforce the local framework and generate fresh prospects for industry operators. Earlier in July, the jurisdiction also secured the top position in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index for the thirteenth consecutive year. ## Why it matters This ongoing recognition highlights Singapore's vital role as a central node in international trade and logistics. For maritime enterprises, investors, and supply chain operators, the city-state remains a highly reliable and attractive hub that provides essential market access, advanced infrastructure, and specialized expertise.