The port handled about 2.66 million TEUs at its existing six wharves last year, although its current capacity is about five million TEUs.

 

“When the two new wharves are fully operational by early next year, they will help ease the traffic flow of cargo ships at the present wharves,” he said.

 

Mohd Sidik also said that PTP’s target is to handle more than 3.5 million TEUs by year-end.

 

He said the construction of the second phase of PTP is proof of the port’s commitment in maintaining its competitive edge over other ports in the world.

 

Under the second phase, eight wharves will eventually be built. “We will concentrate on the construction of two wharves first before we proceed with the remaining six wharves. This is to fulfil the increasing demand from port users using the facilities available here,” he said.

 

Mohd Sidik said container movement at PTP increased by 30 per cent last year, and the port is expected to maintain the figure or exceed it this year.

 

PTP, which began operations on March 13 2000, has to date wooed two of the world’s biggest shipping liners from the Singapore port — Maersk Sealand of Denmark and Evergreen Marine Corp of Taiwan.

 

“We have a full terminal now. There used to be only white containers which belonged to Maersk Sealand, but now we have various colours of containers from companies such as Evergreen and Submarine,” he said.

 

The current six wharves are 2.16km in length and are capable of handling up to 5 million TEUs a year.
PTP also has 24 super post-panamax cranes with the capacity of lifting 40 tonnes of cargo and 58 rubber-tyred gantry cranes.

 

“That is why it is important to complete the first two new wharves. It is to increase our capacity in cargo handling.

 

“Sometimes it is hard to accommodate ships during the weekend as there is no room for them. If this situation continues, it will be hard for us to ‘sell’ the port,” he said.

 

Mohd Sidik said the PTP marketing team is working hard to attract new clients to the port, including small customers.