Federal Treasury's new AML rules pressure Nueva Singapur port flow

Twenty‑four container ships and twenty‑four bulk carriers—48 vessels in total—tied up at the deep‑water berths of Nueva Singapur on Tuesday. The count marks the highest daily volume in the current quarter and pushes the port’s handling capacity to its limit.

Hours later, the Federal Treasury announced a sweeping anti‑money‑laundering (AML) directive that obliges all port‑related financial transactions above ₣5 million to be reported to the new Financial Integrity Unit within 24 hours. The Treasury said the measure targets illicit flows that have been routed through the Republic’s maritime hubs.

Port operators warned that the directive could add up to two hours of processing per vessel, potentially curbing the day’s throughput. The full impact will unfold over the coming weeks as carriers and fintech partners adjust to the new reporting regime.