Aerospace & Logistics
Overview
Our Vibrant Aerospace, Logistics and Maritime Scene
Aerospace hub with
> 130
aerospace companies present1Changi Airport serves
> 100 airlines
flying to ~100 countries & territories worldwide2Home to
25
of the top global logistics players3Ranked
1st
globally in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 20234Connected to
600 ports
in more than 120 countries by 200 shipping lines3Access to
85%
of the world’s GDP via Asia’s most extensive network of Free Trade Areas3
The growth of Asia’s economy has resulted in a booming logistics industry5, and created a greater demand for faster and more efficient transport connectivity over air, land and sea links.
As a major trade hub and global-Asia node, Singapore sits in the middle of an exciting hotbed of opportunities, serving as the regional headquarters for many aerospace, logistics and maritime companies. They are attracted by our world-class workforce which has benefitted from specialised training facilities such as the Singapore Aviation Academy and Singapore Maritime Institute, as well as our strategic position for both sea and air routes.
The country’s vibrant business community, paired with unrivalled access to new markets, partners and global talents, engenders ample growth opportunities. Even as these companies and industries continue to grow and evolve, Singapore is poised to stay at the forefront of development, leading the conversation into future topics ranging from green transportation solutions to logistics innovation.
Why Hold Aerospace & Logistics Events in Singapore?
The concentration of aerospace and logistic companies in Singapore makes it a natural choice for international and regional events that drive meaningful industry-wide impact.
Home to Regional and Global Headquarters
Singapore's world-class infrastructure, strategic access to global markets and thriving business environment have attracted many global companies to establish their international and regional headquarters here. This concentration of companies fosters a vibrant ecosystem that draws regional and international attendees to Singapore to gain expert insights, exchange knowledge, and forge new connections at MICE events. Organisers also have easy access to thought leaders and captions of industry to attend, network, and speak at their events. Some of the leading aerospace and logistics companies in Singapore include:
Airbus
Singapore is the regional hub for Airbus’ commercial aircraft, defence, space and helicopter businesses. Their more than 50-year relationship with Singapore goes beyond commercial interests, with significant investments into locally incorporated companies that focus on regional customer support, maintenance and training operations. Further demonstrating their commitment, Airbus is set to launch a Sustainable Aviation Hub in Singapore. The Hub will foster industry collaboration and drive R&D towards a greener aviation ecosystem6.
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Thales
First established in Singapore in 1973, Thales has continuously expanded its local footprint. Highlights of their operations in Singapore include operating the group’s largest avionics repair facility and working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to advance the country’s Air Traffic Management architecture. To strengthen its avionics and digital capabilities in Singapore, Thales plans to establish an Avionics Centre of Excellence in the city-state to advance R&D of avionics products and Smart Factory transformation initiatives7.
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DHL
DHL first opened its office in Singapore in 1972. It has continually invested in the country, with plans announced in 2023 to invest S$504.9 million in Southeast Asia over the following five years to expand its warehousing capacity, workforce and sustainability efforts. These plans include growing its warehousing capacity in Singapore by over 50% to exceed 230,000 square metres in 2023 and creating 300 new jobs by 20248.
DB Schenker
DB Schenker has a total of 13 facilities in Singapore, including the firm’s largest global investment which spans over 51,000 square metres9. Their cutting-edge facilities in Singapore include automation technologies that can speed up air freight imports by 40 per cent, as well as sustainable features that cut energy use by 35 per cent. Set to be completed by 2025, their new S$148.1 million facility, RedLion2, will increase the company's total logistics footprint in Singapore to nearly four million square feet.
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Industry Showcase
With its strong position as a leader in global transportation and logistics, Singapore is the launchpad for many technological innovations and industry-firsts.
The city-state boasts a cutting-edge 3.2-square-kilometreSeletar Aerospace Park, featuring integrated activities such as manufacturing, aftermarket services and R&D. Located in this park is GE Aerospace’s Singapore aircraft engine repair facility, which was the first in the world to implement new additive manufacturing technology to repair commercial jet engine airfoil components. GE Aerospace plans to invest S$15 million to turn this facility into a state-of-the-art Smart Factory that will transform engine repair and expand workforce skills to support new technologies10.
Another industry-first is Changi Airport Group’s Pharma@Changi initiative. Launched in 2017, it is the first air cargo community in Asia Pacific that fosters a network of partners from the air cargo supply chain11. The community jointly pursues the best standards in pharmaceutical handling to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted pharmaceutical air cargo hub.
Singapore is also home to the first Lufthansa Innovation Hub outside of Germany, which focuses on studying specific market developments in the digitalisation of Travel and Mobility in Asia. The country’s commitment to innovation extends to pilot training as well, with Embraer and CAE recently inaugurating Asia Pacific’s first E-Jets E2 full flight simulator in Singapore12.
On the maritime front, Singapore is looking forward to welcoming the Tuas Mega Port, which will be opened in four phases. When completed in 2040, the Tuas Mega Port will have a handling capacity of 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), making it the world’s largest port13. It will feature technological innovations such as the Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System, as well as 50 per cent lower carbon emissions through the use of electrified equipment and vehicles, as a move towards achieving its goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
Given the abundance of exciting developments concentrated in a well-connected city, industry event experiences can be elevated by venturing beyond meeting rooms and convention halls. By visiting actual work sites, participants can engage directly with experts and gain firsthand insights into the industry's latest innovations and advancements.
Embracing Sustainability
Even as global transportation and logistics industries are grappling with environmental challenges such as carbon emissions and noise pollution, Singapore is proactively exploring solutions that enable these sectors to flourish while prioritising long-term sustainability.
This commitment is exemplified by the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which set targets for achieving long-term net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In line with this goal, both the aviation and maritime sectors are pursuing ambitious decarbonisation strategies. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) launched the Sustainable Airhub Blueprint in 2024 to decarbonise its aviation sector, including initiatives to build up the ecosystem to support the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Singapore14. Similarly, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is driving the development of net-zero fuel pathways, with a target for Singapore's domestic harbour craft sector to achieve net-zero emissions by 205015.
Today, sustainable aviation and logistics have become central discussion topics at conferences and events, with numerous companies in these industries embracing cleaner and more sustainable practices.
One fine example of this dedication to sustainability is the use of solar panels to power the Singapore Airshow since 202016. The Singapore Airshow 2024 also featured dedicated forums and discussions, like the Sustainable Aviation Forum and Changi Aviation Summit, focused on addressing sustainability challenges and promoting green solutions within the industry.
Paired with numerous green MICE venues, accommodation and event organisers, Singapore enables businesses to host sustainable events with ease.
This forward-thinking mindset ensures that Singapore will continue to thrive as a hub for the logistics sector, while contributing to a more responsible and sustainable future for the industry.
Get Inspired
Singapore has hosted numerous top aerospace and maritime shows, giving it a strong foundation of expertise and resources to support your event.
Singapore Airshow
As Asia's most influential international aerospace and defence exhibition, Singapore Airshow acts as a strategic gateway to the wealth of opportunities in the region. Hosted in the leading aerospace hub of Asia since 2008, it brings together government, military and industry leaders from across the globe to forge strategic partnerships, exchange ideas and shape the future of aviation. The 2024 edition saw a record turnout of close to 60,000 trade attendees and over 1,000 participating companies from more than 50 countries and regions.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) Slot Conference
One of IATA's largest events, the Slot Conference serves as a platform for the global airline community to optimise schedules and explore new opportunities for route and network growth. The semiannual event attracts over 1,300 delegates globally, including representatives of over 300 capacity-constrained airports and 250 airlines. Hosted in Singapore in 2024, the 155th Slot Conference spotlighted critical aviation issues specific to the Asia Pacific, underscoring Singapore’s role as a gateway to the region.
International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Association Annual (IFATCA) Conference
The IFATCA Annual Conference is a prestigious gathering of aviation professionals from around the world, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore cutting-edge developments, share knowledge, and drive innovation in the aviation industry. The 63rd IFATCA Annual Conference, held in Singapore in 2024, welcomed over 400 air traffic control professionals, member associations and industry stakeholders.
MRO Asia-Pacific
MRO Asia-Pacific is the region’s leading event for the commercial aviation aftermarket, bringing together maintenance, repair and overhaul professionals to foster business networking and discuss topics of importance to the global aerospace community. Its latest edition in 2023 attracted 5,397 attendees, 755 airline representatives, and featured 200 exhibitors from 78 countries.
Singapore Maritime Week
The Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) is an annual flagship event that brings together global maritime leaders and industry experts to discuss key issues and exchange ideas to bring the sector forward. The 18th edition in 2024 gathered more than 10,000 maritime professionals from close to 80 countries. Comprising over 50 events, including the inaugural Expo@SMW trade exhibition, SMW reflects the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore as a leading international maritime hub.
Sea Asia
As Asia’s anchor maritime and offshore event, Sea Asia is the leading platform for the maritime industry to interact, explore business opportunities, find new products and services, and access premier thought leadership content for the maritime ecosystem. The 2023 edition drew over 18,000 attendees from 90 countries and featured more than 400 exhibitors, including representation from 12 national pavilions.
Asia Pacific Maritime
Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) is one of Asia's top exhibitions and conferences that showcases a complete overview of the various vessel sector services and solutions, technology, vessel equipment, machinery and supplies. Held biennially in Singapore, APM convenes key decision makers in the global maritime industry to forge partnerships and business deals, capitalising on Singapore’s role as a leading maritime nation and trade linkages to Asian markets. Attendance at APM 2024 surpassed all previous editions, with 15,717 trade visitors, 710 exhibitors, and 150 industry speakers.
Transport Logistic and Air Cargo Southeast Asia
Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) is one of Asia's top exhibitions and conferences that showcases a complete overview of the various vessel sector services and solutions, technology, vessel equipment, machinery and supplies. Held biennially in Singapore, APM convenes key decision makers in the global maritime industry to forge partnerships and business deals, capitalising on Singapore’s role as a leading maritime nation and trade linkages to Asian markets. Attendance at APM 2024 surpassed all previous editions, with 15,717 trade visitors, 710 exhibitors, and 150 industry speakers.
Footnotes
1 https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/our-industries/aerospace.html
2 https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/why-singapore/global-connectivity.html
3 https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/our-industries/logistics-and-supply-chain-management.html
4 https://lpi.worldbank.org/report
5 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/the-rise-of-the-asian-middle-class/
11 https://www.changiairport.com/en/corporate/partnering-us/cargo-partners/pharma-hub.html
13 https://www.mpa.gov.sg/maritime-singapore/port-of-the-future
14 https://www.caas.gov.sg/who-we-are/newsroom/Detail/launch-of-singapore-sustainable-air-hub-blueprint