PTP Aggressively Wooing New Shipping Lines

Johor's Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), one of the fastest growing ports worldwide, is aggressively attracting more shipping lines, said its chief executive officer Captain Ismail Hashim. "We are actively in negotiations but I am unable to disclose details, but basically with the top 10 shipping companies in terms of fleet size," he told Bernama in an interview.

Ismail said the current global economic crisis also provided an opportunity "in the sense that the shipping lines too have to seriously look at their operating situation".

"And basically we have the capacity to give competitive pricing to these lines," he said.

"We are also able to give them the opportunity for faster turnaround and at the same time minimal waiting time for berth so that their vessels can move in a more productive manner," he added.

Ismail said under the current situation, the shipping lines were relooking at their deployment of vessels and forging closer collaborations, even with their competitors.

"They are trying to find ways and means to manage the business level they have, with the existing oversupply of capacity," he said.

Asked when the deals are expected to close, Ismail said: "The expectation is there but, of course, there are things to be negotiated and discussed."

"There has to be some considerations, so this will probably take some time or it may be earlier to come to a conclusion," he said.

On another development, Ismail said PTP planned to expand its Pelepas Free Zone by another 175 hectares from the 750 hectares taken up earlier.

The area is Malaysia's first Free Zone consisting of commercial and industrial parks which are integrated within a single boundary at the port's terminal.

"We are working to develop this additional 175 hectares for the expansion of our existing customers' requirements as well as for new customers who may want to lease the land from us," he said.

According to him, half of the 175-hectare designated area had already been taken up by PTP's existing customers who are looking to expand their business here.

Global companies such as the BMW spare parts distribution centre, Flextronics, CIBA Vision and Ca