PTP on track to meet volume target this year despite downturn

PORT of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) has reiterated that it will meet its volume target of 5.8 million 20ft equivalent units (TEUs) this year in spite of the global economic downturn.

Its new chief executive officer Capt Ismail Hashim said the port was confident of reaching its target although it had seen the impact of the “contracting market” on its throughput volume.

“This is largely contributed by new volumes generated in the second and third quarters of the year due to new services by existing and new lines calling at PTP,” he told StarBiz.

He said the economic downturn would affect global businesses and that experts predicted world trade growth would decline next year.

“The economic downturn will have an impact on world trade resulting in movement of goods by containers slowing down. As a result, ports too will be affected.

“In view of the challenging times ahead, there is a need for us to adopt a lean management,” he said.

However, Ismail said, PTP also believed that it could turn challenges into opportunities.

“For PTP, there are several things that we can do to prepare ourselves for the anticipated difficult period ahead.

These include intensifying our efforts to lure new customers.

“Our reputation as a reliable and efficient port, which makes us cost competitive, will now attract liners that are facing cost pressures.

“Although the growth for 2009 will not be as robust as in previous years when the economy was booming, we hope to achieve commendable growth next year.

“This will be achieved through both transhipment traffic and also the anticipated growth in local hinterland cargo handled via PTP due to PTP’s new services,” he said.

Ismail became the new CEO last month, succeeding Harun Johari who is now the executive director of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority.

Ismail is a master mariner who began his career in 1972 as a deck cadet.

He joined the Marine Department in 1984 and was the port officer of the northern states of Malaysia for five years. Following that, he headed the Examiner of Masters and Mates Unit of the department at the headquarters.

In 1994, he joined the Penang Port Commission as manager of the regulatory division.

He joined PTP in 1999 as general manager (marine services) and was was promoted to deputy chief executive officer in 2003 — By Sharidan M. Ali