Singapore Issues Guide to Tackle Wildlife Trafficking at Sea

Singapore has introduced a practical guide outlining key warning signs to help the maritime industry detect and respond to illegal wildlife trafficking in containerized cargo. The initiative builds on existing global guidance while tailoring it to Singapore’s role as one of the world’s busiest transshipment hubs.

The Singapore Compendium was developed by the National Parks Board, TRAFFIC, and WWF, with contributions from the World Shipping Council. It provides clear risk indicators, real-world case examples, and regulatory guidance for shipping lines, freight forwarders, shippers, and other supply chain participants. The framework builds on earlier international guidelines from the World Shipping Council and its partners, adapting them to fit Singapore’s regulatory environment.

“The maritime industry has a critical role to play, working together with government, organisations and shippers to prevent our global supply chains from being exploited by wildlife traffickers,” said Joe Kramek, president and CEO of the World Shipping Council, liner shipping’s lobby group. “This Singapore-specific Red Flag Compendium is a valuable, practical resource that helps translate global guidance into action on the ground.”

While general guidance on wildlife trafficking has been available for some time, applying it in a practical, port-specific way has been more limited. Given Singapore’s position as a major transshipment hub, it represents both a high-risk transit point and a strategic location for strengthening enforcement efforts.