Nueva Singapur Port Authority orders safety audit after terminal incident

The Port Authority of Nueva Singapur announced a full operational audit of its bunker-fuel storage and transfer systems on Friday after a technical incident at Berth 7 forced a temporary shutdown of that facility. The incident, which occurred early Thursday morning, caused no reported casualties but prompted immediate evacuation of the immediate operational zone. Port Authority spokesperson Raúl Mercado said the shutdown would remain in effect pending completion of the independent safety assessment.

The bunker-fuel zone handles approximately 8,000 tonnes of marine fuel daily, servicing container vessels and bulk carriers that transit the Strait. Mercado confirmed that the incident involved "equipment malfunction in the transfer infrastructure" but declined to specify which system or to estimate when normal operations would resume. The Port Authority has redirected incoming vessels to Berths 4 and 6, adding an estimated four to six hours to standard turnaround times.

The shutdown comes as the port complex navigates rising operational density. Weekly throughput reached 47,300 containers in the week ending June 15, the third consecutive week above 46,000. Shipping lines have absorbed the Berth 7 closure without major disruption so far, but any extended suspension risks cascading delays across the regional container network. The Port Authority said the independent audit would be completed within thirty days.