Russian commercial shipping and Singapore, 1905-1916

Abstract

After the Russo-Japanese War, Russia's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Trade and Industry tried to reorganize the country's shipping on a more commercial basis by creating steamship lines and exploiting various trade opportunities. Because Singapore was a major halting point for Russian ships using the sea route from the Black Sea to the Far East, Consuls there were in the forefront of trade issues. Based on records of the Singapore Consulate and other materials at the archive of the Ministry of Foreign Policy in Moscow, the article explores plans for the commercialization of Russian shipping and the problems faced by Consuls in advancing Russian economic activity in the region.