PTP To Expand To Meet Global Container Trade Growth

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd, operator of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in south-west Johor, is ready to expand it existing facilities to meet the global container trade growth in the next five years, chief executive officer Harun Johari said.

"Looking forward, global container trade is expected to grow at an average of eight to ten percent annually for the next five years. The demand for port capacity to handle this growth will be significant," he said in a statement here today.

Whilst other ports around the world are projected to face challenges in terms of capacity constraints, he said PTP would not be in a similar position.

"It is therefore important for ports to invest in capacity in a timely manner to ensure they don't become the bottleneck in the supply chain.

"With the availability of ample space for expansion, PTP is ready to meet the needs of the existing and new customers," Harun said.

To meet the growing demand, he said PTP took delivery of four new quay cranes and eight rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes last year and has placed orders for additional new equipment to beef up its existing fleet of quay cranes, RTG cranes, prime-movers and reach stackers.

These additional equipments will be progressively delivered from this month with the final delivery expected in October this year, he added.

Harun said the port is also working with the government to further deepen the access channel.

This coupled with the planned construction of two new additional berths will ensure PTP continues to provide the needed capacity, he said.

Within a span of eight years, the port has transformed itself into a major transshipment hub and emerged as the country's largest container terminal and amongst one of the top 20 busiest ports in the world.

In 2007, PTP handled 5.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) representing a growth of 14.5 percent over 2006.

On Pelepas Free Zone, Harun said todate about RM3 billion foreign direct investments have been invested in the zone.

To meet the growing interest of investors in its free zone, the port is also actively developing additional land to meet the demand, he said.

At the moment, more than 50 global brands are operating a diverse range of businesses within the area.

The port is also ready to become a strong gateway port in the south due to its prime location in Iskandar Development Region (IDR), Harun said.

-- BERNAMA