This is evident from the fact that the company that owns PSA, namely Temasek Holdings, the investment arm of Singapore Ministry of Finance, owns Sembawang Kimtrans Ltd, which has inaugurated the shuttle feeder service to be managed by Maersk Sealand.

The shuttle, which will make 11 weekly calls at the new Malaysian port and PSA, will be served by two barges and two tugboats for the first call.

"The double berthing of the barge signals the start of the high frequency shuttle feeder service. The shuttle service, controlled and managed by Maersk
Sealand will provide Singapore shippers and opportunity to export and import via the port," PTP said in a statement.

On the maiden call the first barge, Bunga 2031, anchored at Berth One of PTP assisted by the tugboat Kimtrans venus for the loading of 57 TEUs.

This was followed by the berthing of the second barge, Kimtrans 88 which berthed also at Berth One, loading 132 TEUs assisted by Kimtrans Taurus.

PTP said the highly attractive service package was introduced due to Maersk Sealand shifting its transshipment hub from Singapore to PTP.

It offers shippers in Singapore 11 feeder connections in a week and this amount will increase to 16 calls weekly.

The shuttle service, by Sembawang Kimtrans which provides a comprehensive range of logistics services for the shipping, mining constructions and oil and gas exploration industries, will be linked to another package, namely a two-hour express haulage service directly linking the shippers' doorstep to PTP.

This service will be made available once the licensing requirements is finalised in December, PTP noted.

PTP added the packages would be of advantage to shippers as the multiple closing time and deliveries will enable the shippers to be more flexible and responsive to their logistics operations.

"Export customers will be able to obtain and encash their bill of lading on daily basis whereas import customers will be able to arrange staggered delivery easily and flexibly any day within the allowed free times, allowing Just-In-Time deliveries and storage cost savings."