Ng Eng Hen on Singapore’s role in keeping Red Sea safe for shipping
The disruption of the sea lines of communication (SLOC) in the Red Sea will have an impact on global supply chains. However, based on the current situation, the immediate impact on Singapore is expected to be limited as the majority of its critical supplies, such as food and pharmaceuticals, are delivered via airfreight or do not pass through the Red Sea. Local manufacturers also seem to have sufficient spare inventory to hedge against supply disruptions, though they are worried about increases in business costs. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen gave this assessment in reply to an MP’s question in Parliament on Tuesday (Jan 9). He pointed out that Singapore-registered ships have been affected by the attacks from the Houthis, with the number of daily transits through the Red Sea now approximately halved. Dr Ng said it is in Singapore’s interest to help protect and ensure that key SLOCs around the world remain open, especially if threatened by unlawful acts from non-state actors or terrorist groups. Singapore hopes that the littoral states that surround the Red Sea will step up efforts to end the unlawful Houthis attacks, said Dr Ng. The international community of user states also has a role to play, he added. Singapore will participate in the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian and contribute to the efforts of Combined Task Force 153 to restore international confidence and the free flow of maritime shipping. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will deploy a team of planners to work with international partners at their headquarters to formulate plans. A team from the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Information Fusion Centre will support information sharing and engagement outreach with the commercial shipping community and a senior national representative to the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain. Separately, Singapore and the SAF, together with international partners, have continued to monitor developments in the region, including the ongoing need for humanitarian assistance, said Dr Ng. The SAF has accepted an offer from the French Armed Forces to provide two medical personnel to serve on its hospital ship in Egypt.
The disruption of the sea lines of communication (SLOC) in the Red Sea will have an impact on global supply chains. However, based on the current situation, the immediate impact on Singapore is expected to be limited as the majority of its critical supplies, such as food and pharmaceuticals, are delivered via airfreight or do not pass through the Red Sea. Local manufacturers also seem to have sufficient spare inventory to hedge against supply disruptions, though they are worried about increases in business costs. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen gave this assessment in reply to an MP’s question in Parliament on Tuesday (Jan 9). He pointed out that Singapore-registered ships have been affected by the attacks from the Houthis, with the number of daily transits through the Red Sea now approximately halved. Dr Ng said it is in Singapore’s interest to help protect and ensure that key SLOCs around the world remain open, especially if threatened by unlawful acts from non-state actors or terrorist groups. Singapore hopes that the littoral states that surround the Red Sea will step up efforts to end the unlawful Houthis attacks, said Dr Ng. The international community of user states also has a role to play, he added. Singapore will participate in the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian and contribute to the efforts of Combined Task Force 153 to restore international confidence and the free flow of maritime shipping. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will deploy a team of planners to work with international partners at their headquarters to formulate plans. A team from the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Information Fusion Centre will support information sharing and engagement outreach with the commercial shipping community and a senior national representative to the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain. Separately, Singapore and the SAF, together with international partners, have continued to monitor developments in the region, including the ongoing need for humanitarian assistance, said Dr Ng. The SAF has accepted an offer from the French Armed Forces to provide two medical personnel to serve on its hospital ship in Egypt.
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