Second phase expansion plans for the port of Tanjung Pelepas
Asian Pacific Shipping
The Malaysian port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) is entering into second phase of expansion.
Now composed of six berths, PTP will be able to meet the growing cargo volume with at least another two berths and more modern cargo-handling equipment under Phase 2.
PTP’s throughput has grown spectacularly from 418,218 TEU in 2000 to 2,050,000 TEUs in 2001 when Maersk Sealand switched its entire hub function from Singapore to PTP. This will further increase when at the end of August Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC) shifts its hub port from Singapore to PTP.
The port now expects to handle about 2.4 million TEUs this year.
PTP is planning to add five gantry cranes and 20 RTGCs within this year. According to Brian Paul, general manager of PTP, reclamation work in Phase 2 will commence in a couple of months. Ground preparations for the first two berths have already been decided.
Although ship assignment schedules are yet to be fixed, EMC’s vessels will move to PTP one-by-one expect for Uniglory Marine Corp’s intra-Asia service vessels. This will result in 80 per cent of cargo handled by EMC at Singapore shifting to the Malaysian port.