Port History
In the 2nd Century AD, the island belonged to the Sumatran Empire. Between the 16th and 19th Centuries, the Port of Singapore was ruled by the Sultanate of Johor. Portuguese held the settlement in the 1500s. The Dutch ruled in the 1600s, though they ruled an island of fishermen.

In 1819, the British East India Company set up a trading post on the Singapore River where native people lived along the coast. The British used the Port of Singapore as a post on the famous spice route, and it was one of the most important centers for commerce and military power in the British Empire.

In 1963, Singapore merged with Sarawak, Sabah, and Malaya to form Malaysia. But two years later, it split from the federation to become an independent republic and joined the United Nations. Since independence, the Port of Singapore has created a modern economy built on petrochemicals, electronics manufacturing, financial services, and tourism. It's the 17th wealthiest country in the world (GDP per capita).

Port Commerce
Its largely Chinese population was almost 5 million in 2007, yet English is the administration language of the Port of Singapore. The Port of Singapore hosts about 140 thousand vessels each year. It has facilities for handling cargo, refining oil, bunkering, and ship building and repair and many marine services. In 2000, the Port of Singapore handled over 325 million tons of cargo.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore was formed in 1996 by the merger of the Marine Department, the National Maritime Board, and the former Port of Singapore Authority. It promotes the use, improvement, and development of the port and regulates the Port of Singapore's economy. It also manages Singapore's merchant fleet.

Cruising and Travel
Singapore is a hugely popular spot for tourists, and many cruise lines visit it each year. The Port of Singapore's cruise operators can provide many entertainments and tours ranging from day trips to the islands to seasonal cruises throughout Asia.