PTP to invest RM3bil for six more berths
The Star
GELANG PATAH, Johor: The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) will invest RM3bil in the construction of six more berths, said its chief executive officer Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman.
Sidik said that PTP was now awaiting approval from the relevant authorities for work to begin in the last quarter of this year or early next year. Construction of the additional berths forms part of the second phase of the port's expansion plan.
The second phase, which would involve reclamation of 600 acres, would take between 15 and 18 months, he told reporters at a press conference yesterday.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman had earlier toured the port with state exco members and officials. They were accompanied by PTP chairman Datuk Taufik Abdullah.
Works would include building a container yard, the construction of operation buildings and terminals and acquiring gantries and quayside cranes.
Sidik said each berth was able to handle 600,000 TEUs a year, and with the six new berths, the port would be able to handle seven million TEUs by 2004.
"We are poised to emerge as a leading transhipment hub in the region and will attract more new clients in due course," he added.
He said PTP was confident of achieving its target, being the only new emerging port to have reached one million TEUs within one year of operation.
Sidik said between January and July 4 this year, the port handled one million TEUs and was targeting to reach two million TEUs by the end of the year.