# Maritime Transport - The Port Expands Land Reclaimed from the Sea and Prepares New Berths While Several Old Port Zones Will Move Their Merchandise There in Coming Years The Strait of Malaca made Singapore a stop difficult to bypass for large cargo ships. Thousands of ships pass through that route each year because it connects Asia's industrial economies with Europe, the Middle East, and part of Africa without requiring long or costly detours. The city-state occupies only a small strip of territory, but dedicated decades to specializing in moving merchandise faster than many much larger rivals.