Ahead of its 60th anniversary celebrations in 2026 the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) enjoyed startling growth in tonnage in 2025.
Figures released by the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) showed that the SRS closed 2025 with a record 137.46 million gt on its books, an increase of around 27% over 2024.
The Singapore Registry also overtook Hong Kong to become the world’s fourth largest registry, which was battered by uncertainty around USTR port fees on Chinese owned ships, which included Hong Kong.
In a speech to the Singapore Maritime Foundation’s New Year Conversations 2026 event Murali Pillai, Singapore Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport, said, “Complementing Singapore’s status as an international maritime centre, the Singapore Registry of Ships has continued its strong growth trajectory, reflecting shipowners’ confidence in Singapore as a reputable and forward-looking flag State.”
The SRS has been bolstered by major owners reflagging from Hong Kong ahead of the USTR port fees on Chinese-owned ships that came into force on 14 October, although these fees and reciprocal measures by China against US owned vessels were paused for a year in early November.
The world’s largest container ship tonnage provider reflagged over 100 ships from Hong Kong to Singapore while Pacific Basin announced it was reflagging the around half of its 107 strong fleet of bulk carriers to Singapore as well as shifting its headquarters to the Lion City. While the USTR fees were paused many vessels had already been re-flagged and the changes continued as planned.
In his speech Minister Pillai said that 35 maritime companies and start-ups had started or expanded their operations in Singapore during 2025. He highlighted Japan’s Mitsui OSK Line (MOL) setting up a sub-headquarters in the country. Singapore is home to over 200 international shipping groups.
