<p>新加坡：全球氦气短缺尚未立即影响新加坡的半导体制造和医疗运营，但如果持续干扰，可能会推高价格。氦气用于先进芯片生产以及某些磁共振成像（MRI）机器中，这些机器用于检测肿瘤和肌肉或韧带的损伤。氦气是天然气加工的副产品，卡塔尔是主要供应国。由于中东冲突，供应紧张。卫生部（MOH）表示，它在某些 MRI 机器和实验室测试中使用少量氦气。“我们的供应仍然安全，” 该部门表示，并补充说它从多个国家采购氦气。卫生部一直在实施供应链韧性措施，包括多元化采购策略，以保持公共医疗需求的医疗供应稳定，发言人表示。“也就是说，中东局势不稳定，” 该部门表示。它在家庭危机部长委员会中有代表，并密切监测局势和发展。 在芯片制造中的关键作用 氦气在半导体制造中被广泛使用，并在多个生产阶段中发挥关键作用，新加坡半导体行业协会执行董事 Ang Wee Seng 表示。它用于冷却半导体晶圆并维持超洁净、非反应性环境。“其独特的性质——化学惰性和在热管理方面的高效性——使其在实现先进芯片生产所需的精度方面不可或缺，” Ang 先生说。该气体对于精确的温度控制和安全的热量去除至关重要，Republic Polytechnic 工程学院的高级讲师 Lau Gih Sheng 表示。它还用于检测真空系统和气体管道中的泄漏。美国内存芯片制造商美光科技（Micron Technology）表示，其运营正常，并正在监测中东局势。“我们已经多元化采购制造材料，保持适当的库存以支持我们的业务，并与供应商紧密合作，以促进供应不间断，” 该公司在回应 CNA 的询问时表示。台湾芯片制造商联电（United Microelectronics Corporation，UMC）也表示，其运营未受到显著影响。该公司在台湾、新加坡、中国和日本设有制造工厂，表示每个地点都有本地化的采购和控制策略，并有全球管理监督。如果需要，制造设施可以跨地区提供支持，并且每种关键材料都有多个供应商以保持运营韧性，UMC 新加坡的高级制造总监 Thomas Tey 表示。“例如，虽然伊朗冲突在过去一个月中收紧了全球氦气供应，但目前我们的运营没有受到影响，因为我们已经从不同地区多元化采购，” 他说。Tey 先生表示，该公司之前已经应对过各种地缘政治事件，并将在局势发展时调整其策略。 成本，而非运营，面临风险 目前影响仍然有限且可控，但如果持续干扰，情况可能会恶化，新加坡半导体行业协会的 Ang 先生表示。“如果全球氦气供应的干扰持续，特别是考虑到卡塔尔等地区的生产集中，我们可能会开始看到供应条件收紧和成本压力逐渐显现，” 他说。中东以外的替代来源存在，但是否能够完全弥补短缺取决于干扰的持续时间和严重程度。卡塔尔是新加坡的主要氦气来源，尽管美国、俄罗斯和阿尔及利亚也生产该气体，Lau 先生表示。“卡塔尔生产了全球供应的很大一部分；他们的出口完全停产是难以立即替代的，” 他说，并补充说新加坡完全依赖进口。持续的短缺可能导致成本增加，并带来长期运营挑战，他说。多元化的供应和现有库存可以帮助缓冲影响，但持续的干扰可能会收紧市场并推高价格，Ang 先生表示。能源价格的上涨已经影响到制造和物流成本，运输成本因燃料价格上涨和航线风险而攀升。消费者可能会看到电子产品、汽车和与人工智能相关的产品的成本上升，他补充道。 可以采取什么措施？如果短缺持续，制造工厂可能需要优先考虑在关键产品上使用氦气，Lau 先生表示。铸造厂还可以捕获并重复使用高达 90% 的用于冷却和泄漏检测的氦气。“除了寻求卡塔尔以外的替代来源，铸造厂还可以捕获并重复使用高达 90% 的用于冷却和泄漏检测的氦气，” 他说。Ang 先生表示，如果需要，可以加速氦气回收系统和现有的缓解策略，但指出氦气在某些关键过程中没有真正的替代品。“这些措施只能部分抵消供应限制，” 他说。他补充说，行业面临的是压力而非干扰，主要影响在于成本而非运营。该行业也已经建立了缓冲，韧性比几年前更强。“关键风险在于如果局势升级或持续，这可能会在材料供应和运营成本上引入更多波动，” Ang 先生说。</p>

联电

半导体 3 倍做多 - Direxion

2 倍做多美光科技 ETF - Direxion

标普半导体 ETF - SPDR

美光科技

费城交易所 半导体 ETF - iShares

半导体 ETF - VanEck Vectors

纳斯达克半导体 ETF - First Trust

动态半导体 ETF - Invesco

SOXQ

<p>全球氦气短缺尚未对新加坡的半导体和医疗保健行业产生影响，但长期的供应中断可能导致成本上升。氦气对芯片生产和 MRI 机器至关重要。卫生部保证通过多元化采购确保供应安全。美光科技和联电等公司报告正常运营，并已制定策略以降低风险。然而，如果短缺持续，成本可能会上升，影响电子产品和人工智能产品。制造商可能需要优先考虑氦气的使用，并探索回收选项，尽管氦气在关键工艺中没有真正的替代品</p>

<p>SINGAPORE: The global helium shortage has not immediately affected Singapore’s semiconductor manufacturing and healthcare operations, but a prolonged disruption could push prices up. Helium is used in advanced chip production as well as in some magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines that detect tumours and injuries to muscles or ligaments. The gas is a byproduct of natural gas processing, and Qatar is a key supplier. Supply has tightened due to the Middle East conflict. The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it uses small amounts of helium for certain MRI machines and laboratory testing. “Our supplies remain secure,” the ministry said, adding that it sources the gas from various countries. MOH has been implementing supply chain resiliency measures, including diversified sourcing strategies, to keep medical supplies stable for public healthcare needs, a spokesperson said. “That said, the Middle East situation is volatile,” said the ministry. It is represented on the Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee and is monitoring the situation and developments closely. CRITICAL IN CHIPMAKING Helium is widely used in semiconductor manufacturing and plays a critical role across multiple stages of production, said Mr Ang Wee Seng, executive director of the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association. It is used in cooling semiconductor wafers and maintaining an ultra-clean, non-reactive environment. “Its unique properties – being chemically inert and highly effective at thermal management – make it indispensable for achieving the precision required in advanced chip production,” said Mr Ang.The gas is critical for precise temperature control and safe heat removal, said Mr Lau Gih Sheng, a senior lecturer at Republic Polytechnic's School of Engineering. It is also used to detect leaks in vacuum systems and gas pipelines. American memory chipmaker Micron Technology said its operations are normal and it is monitoring the situation in the Middle East. “We have diversified sourcing for manufacturing materials, maintained appropriate inventory to support our business and are working closely with suppliers to facilitate uninterrupted supply,” the company said in response to CNA’s queries. Taiwanese chipmaker United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) also said its operations have not been significantly affected. The company, which has manufacturing plants in Taiwan, Singapore, China and Japan, said each site has localised procurement and control strategies, with global management oversight. The manufacturing facilities can provide support across regions if needed, and every critical material has several suppliers to keep operations resilient, said Mr Thomas Tey, senior fab director at UMC Singapore. “For example, while the Iran conflict has tightened global helium supply over the past month, there is currently no impact on our operations as we have diversified sources from different regions,” he said. Mr Tey said the company has navigated various geopolitical events before and will adjust its strategies as the situation develops. COSTS, NOT OPERATIONS, AT RISK The impact remains limited and manageable for now, but a prolonged disruption could worsen conditions, said Mr Ang of the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association. “If the disruption to global helium supply persists, particularly given the concentration of production in regions like Qatar, we could start to see tighter supply conditions and cost pressures emerging over time,” he said. Alternative sources outside the Middle East exist, but whether they can fully offset a shortfall depends on the duration and severity of the disruption. Qatar is Singapore's main source of helium, though the US, Russia and Algeria also produce the gas, Mr Lau said. “Qatar produces a large percentage of global supply; a total shutdown of their exports is difficult to replace instantly,” he said, adding that Singapore relies entirely on imports. A prolonged shortage could lead to increased costs and pose long-term operational challenges, he said. Diversified supply and existing inventories can help to cushion the impact, but a sustained disruption could tighten the market and push prices up, said Mr Ang. Rising energy prices are already feeding into manufacturing and logistics costs, and shipping costs have climbed due to higher fuel prices and route risks. Consumers may see higher costs for electronics, cars and AI-related products, he added. WHAT CAN BE DONE? Manufacturing plants may need to prioritise helium use on critical products if the shortage persists, Mr Lau said. Foundries could also capture and reuse up to 90 per cent of the helium used in cooling and leak detection. “On top of seeking alternative sources outside of Qatar, foundries may capture and reuse upwards of 90 per cent of helium used in cooling and leak detection,” he said. Mr Ang said helium recycling systems and existing mitigation strategies can be accelerated if needed, but noted that helium has no true substitute for certain critical processes. “These measures can only partially offset supply constraints,” he said. He added that the industry is facing pressures rather than disruptions, with the main impact falling on costs rather than operations. The sector has also built up buffers and is more resilient than it was several years ago. “The key risk is if the situation escalates or becomes prolonged, which could introduce more volatility in both material supply and operating costs,” Mr Ang said.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>新加坡：全球氦气短缺尚未立即影响新加坡的半导体制造和医疗运营，但如果持续干扰，可能会推高价格。氦气用于先进芯片生产以及某些磁共振成像（MRI）机器中，这些机器用于检测肿瘤和肌肉或韧带的损伤。氦气是天然气加工的副产品，卡塔尔是主要供应国。由于中东冲突，供应紧张。卫生部（MOH）表示，它在某些 MRI 机器和实验室测试中使用少量氦气。“我们的供应仍然安全，” 该部门表示，并补充说它从多个国家采购氦气。卫生部一直在实施供应链韧性措施，包括多元化采购策略，以保持公共医疗需求的医疗供应稳定，发言人表示。“也就是说，中东局势不稳定，” 该部门表示。它在家庭危机部长委员会中有代表，并密切监测局势和发展。 在芯片制造中的关键作用 氦气在半导体制造中被广泛使用，并在多个生产阶段中发挥关键作用，新加坡半导体行业协会执行董事 Ang Wee Seng 表示。它用于冷却半导体晶圆并维持超洁净、非反应性环境。“其独特的性质——化学惰性和在热管理方面的高效性——使其在实现先进芯片生产所需的精度方面不可或缺，” Ang 先生说。该气体对于精确的温度控制和安全的热量去除至关重要，Republic Polytechnic 工程学院的高级讲师 Lau Gih Sheng 表示。它还用于检测真空系统和气体管道中的泄漏。美国内存芯片制造商美光科技（Micron Technology）表示，其运营正常，并正在监测中东局势。“我们已经多元化采购制造材料，保持适当的库存以支持我们的业务，并与供应商紧密合作，以促进供应不间断，” 该公司在回应 CNA 的询问时表示。台湾芯片制造商联电（United Microelectronics Corporation，UMC）也表示，其运营未受到显著影响。该公司在台湾、新加坡、中国和日本设有制造工厂，表示每个地点都有本地化的采购和控制策略，并有全球管理监督。如果需要，制造设施可以跨地区提供支持，并且每种关键材料都有多个供应商以保持运营韧性，UMC 新加坡的高级制造总监 Thomas Tey 表示。“例如，虽然伊朗冲突在过去一个月中收紧了全球氦气供应，但目前我们的运营没有受到影响，因为我们已经从不同地区多元化采购，” 他说。Tey 先生表示，该公司之前已经应对过各种地缘政治事件，并将在局势发展时调整其策略。 成本，而非运营，面临风险 目前影响仍然有限且可控，但如果持续干扰，情况可能会恶化，新加坡半导体行业协会的 Ang 先生表示。“如果全球氦气供应的干扰持续，特别是考虑到卡塔尔等地区的生产集中，我们可能会开始看到供应条件收紧和成本压力逐渐显现，” 他说。中东以外的替代来源存在，但是否能够完全弥补短缺取决于干扰的持续时间和严重程度。卡塔尔是新加坡的主要氦气来源，尽管美国、俄罗斯和阿尔及利亚也生产该气体，Lau 先生表示。“卡塔尔生产了全球供应的很大一部分；他们的出口完全停产是难以立即替代的，” 他说，并补充说新加坡完全依赖进口。持续的短缺可能导致成本增加，并带来长期运营挑战，他说。多元化的供应和现有库存可以帮助缓冲影响，但持续的干扰可能会收紧市场并推高价格，Ang 先生表示。能源价格的上涨已经影响到制造和物流成本，运输成本因燃料价格上涨和航线风险而攀升。消费者可能会看到电子产品、汽车和与人工智能相关的产品的成本上升，他补充道。 可以采取什么措施？如果短缺持续，制造工厂可能需要优先考虑在关键产品上使用氦气，Lau 先生表示。铸造厂还可以捕获并重复使用高达 90% 的用于冷却和泄漏检测的氦气。“除了寻求卡塔尔以外的替代来源，铸造厂还可以捕获并重复使用高达 90% 的用于冷却和泄漏检测的氦气，” 他说。Ang 先生表示，如果需要，可以加速氦气回收系统和现有的缓解策略，但指出氦气在某些关键过程中没有真正的替代品。“这些措施只能部分抵消供应限制，” 他说。他补充说，行业面临的是压力而非干扰，主要影响在于成本而非运营。该行业也已经建立了缓冲，韧性比几年前更强。“关键风险在于如果局势升级或持续，这可能会在材料供应和运营成本上引入更多波动，” Ang 先生说。</p>
</div>

Helium shortage yet to hit Singapore's semicon, healthcare sectors, but prolonged disruption may push costs up

- 新加坡的半导体制造和医疗操作尚未受到氦气短缺影响。  
- 氦气是半导体生产和部分 MRI 设备的重要原料，供应因中东冲突收紧。  
- 长期短缺可能导致成本上升，但目前企业通过多元化策略来保持供应稳定。

氦气短缺目前尚未影响新加坡的半导体和医疗保健行业，但如果中断持续，可能会导致成本上升