Records Another Year Of Growth
www.btimes.com.my
THE Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) recorded another year of growth in 2009 and retained its position as Malaysia's leading container terminal.
Chairman Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman said the port closed 2009 with a container throughput of 6 million twenty equivalent units which was 7.5 per cent higher than 2008.
This growth was achieved against a backdrop of shipping lines and ports facing double digit drops in volume due to the global economic downturn.
The increased throughput was also achieved with lower overall costs given considerable pressure on rates during this period.
" We are fortunate to be one of very few ports in the world which recorded an increase in container volume in 2009.
" PTP managed to grow the port for a number of reasons. While existing customers contributed with new services, new volumes brought in by French shipping line CMA-CGM also added to the numbers," Sidik said in a statement.
He added there was a nine per cent increase in local volume from the Johor industrial hinterland as more shippers were now using PTP for their import and export needs.
Saying that more shipping lines called at Port of Tanjung Pelepas, he added the port handled 20 per cent of Johor's hinterland cargo last year.
" Apart from Evergreen and Maersk Line, we have CMA-CGM, MISC and other shipping lines providing direct services to many global destinations.
" Local cargo shipped out of PTP do not need to go through other transshipment ports before they can connect to bigger long-haul vessels as they are already calling at PTP directly," Sidik said.
He said this benefited shippers as it reduced point-to-point transit time, eliminated the risk of missed vessel connections at other transit ports and provided end-to-end savings in the overall logistics costs.
On PTP's outlook for 2010, Sidik predicted an overall challenging year ahead despite signs of a global economic recovery.
" 2010 will clearly be a challenging year. We expect lower operational costs for shipping lines to be a key focus area",
Sidik said, adding that the port viewed this as an opportunity as shipping lines would look for more efficient and cost-effective alternatives.
" PTP has much to offer both existing and potential new customers. Cost efficiency, world class service levels and unlimited capacity allows customers to extract greater efficiencies that will ultimately improve their bottom line," he said. - Bernama