The beginnings of the Singapore Harbour Board can be traced back to the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company which was formed in February 1865. When the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company became too big – owning practically all the land in the region that was suitable for wharfage for large ocean-going steamers – the interests it controlled were deemed too important to be left in private hands. Moreover, as about two-thirds of its capital was held in London, UK, there was concern that Singapore would lose out if any conflict arose.[1] Thus, the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company was expropriated in 1905, surrendering its business to the Government of the Straits Settlements, leading to the formation of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Board.[2]
To take over control of the port facilities, the Strait Settlements Port Bill was raised to the Legislative Council on 21 July 1911, proposing for the constitution of a Singapore Harbour Board and a Penang Harbour Board for the creation of a port trust both in Singapore and Penang.[3] The boards were to be corporate entities responsible for securing monies due from the board to the British Crown, while making provisions for the formation of a sinking fund to finance the development of the local ports, payment of interest, and future loans.[4]
On 4 August 1911, the Legislative Council debated details such as whether the Penang Harbour Board should have a chairman of its own.[5] A second edition of the Strait Settlements Port Bill was later introduced. Following further amendments,[6] the bill was finally passed by the Legislative Council on 30 August 1912.[7]
The Singapore Harbour Board was officially constituted on 1 July 1913.[8]
The first chairman of the Singapore Harbour Board (also chairman of the Penang Harbour Board) was John Rumney Nicholson, while the local chairman for was R.J. Wilkinson.The Singapore Harbour Board also consisted of three to seven other members, all appointed by the Governor of the Colony Arthur Henderson Young.[9]
The Singapore Harbour Board initially undertook the same work as the Tanjong Pagar Dock Board but it eventually took control over the whole harbour while prioritising the development of the Port of Singapore.[10] The Singapore Harbour Board went on to enhance port facilities[11] including the development and construction of the docks, such as King’s Dock at Keppel Harbour, which was the largest dry dock in Asia when it opened.[12]
The Singapore Harbour Board directly and indirectly employed about 11,000 persons. The officers and staff comprised 120 Europeans and approximately 1,900 Eurasians, Chinese, Indians and Malays, but there were over 4,000 wharf coolies and over 5,000 skilled artisans of trades, their assistants, and labourers in the Dockyard Department. The Singapore Harbour Board also had a dedicated police force and fire brigade.[13]
In 1964, Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) replaced the Singapore Harbour Board.[14] On 2 February 1996, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established to take over the PSA’s regulatory functions, while the PSA was corporatised and succeeded by PSA Corporation Ltd on 1 October 1997.[15]
Besides acting as the port authority, port regulator, port planner, and the national maritime representative, the MPA set out to “develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre, and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests”.[16]
References
1. Closing a chapter. (1913, May 17) The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. Tanjong Pagar history. (1913, May 17) The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Legislative Council. (1911, July 22) The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. Local port control. (1911, July 22) The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. Legislative Council. (1911, August 5). The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. The Ports Bill. (1911, May 11). The Straits Times, p. 8; The Port Ordinance. (1911, June 1). The Straits Times, p. 10; Ports Bill. (1912, July 6) The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 7; Legislative Council. (1912, July 11) The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 24. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. Harbour Boards. (1913, July 1). The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. The Straits Times, 1 Jul 1913, p. 9.
9. Singapore Harbour Board. (1922?). A short history of the Port of Singapore : with particular reference to the undertakings of the Singapore Harbour Board (p. 18). Singapore: Fraser & Neave. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from BookSG; The Straits Times, 1 Jul 1913, p. 9.
10. The Straits Times, 17 May 1913, p. 8.
11. PSA International. (n.d.). Heritage: Chapter four: Developments in Keppel Harbour. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from the PSA International website: https://www.globalpsa.com/portfolio-items/heritage-chapter-four/
12. The King’s Dock. (1913, August 27). The Straits Times, p. 10; King’s Dock. (1913, November 8). The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
13. Singapore Harbour Board, 1922, p. 18.
14. PSA International, n.d., Heritage: Chapter four: Developments in Keppel Harbour
15. PSA International. (n.d.).Heritage: Chapter six: Going global. Retrieved January 23, 2016, from the PSA International website: https://www.globalpsa.com/portfolio-items/heritage-chapter-six/
16. Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. (2016, January 27). About MPA. Retrieved January 23, 2016, from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore website: http://www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/home/about-mpa
The information in this article is valid as at September 2016 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.