PTP projects throughput increase

With CMA CGM's decision to base its joint services with Maersk Line at Port Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Malaysia, the port is now budgeting for a 9% growth to 6.1 million TEU for this year.

Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman, chairman of PTP, told CI eXpress: 'Due to strategic reasons, CMA CGM has decided to call at both Westport (Port Klang) and PTP.

'Now, the joint services of CMA CGM and Maersk should contribute approximately half a million TEU to PTP's total annual throughput in this year. Naturally, we expect to see an increase in volumes from these services as the economy recovers and the world trade picks up.'

The executive added: 'We have sufficient terminal capacity and equipment to handle CMA CGM's vessels at PTP.'

The current annualised terminal handling capacity at PTP stands at eight million TEU.

PTP secured the 18th position in the world's container port ranking in 2008.