Tanjung Pelepas May Take Over Port Klang As Premier Port
Bernama
There is a strong possibility that the Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP) may take over Port Klang as the country's future premier port, according to the Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik.
He said although PTP was projected to handle two million TEUs as against Port Klang's 3.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) by year-end, the PTP's rate of increase in volume handled had surpassed that of Port Klang only after two years of operations.
"PTP may likely take over Port Klang one day, there is a possibility," he told reporters after opening a conference here Monday on "Managing Logistic and Supply Chain Towards Improving Profit and Enhancing Competitive Edge".
It was organised by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI).
Dr Ling said PTP is one of the world's fastest-growing trans-shipment port and has managed to attract leading sealiners to use it.
Mearsk Sealand, the world's number one cargo carrier has shifted its services from Singapore to PTP besides taking 30 per cent stake in port equity.
Dr Ling said the Sept 11 attacks on New York's World Trade Centre had not affected the performance of Malaysian ports going by the volume handled by Port Klang rising from 324,000 TEU's in September to 343,000 in October.
"If this trend continues, we should reach 3.7 or 3.8 million TEU's this year," he said.
By year-end Port Klang could join the rank of the top 10 ports in the world, he said. Currently, Port Klang ranked 12th.
He said it was also encouraging to see Port Klang's trans-shipment boxes continuing to grow from 162,000 TEU's in September to 170,000 in October this year.
Earlier, in his speech Dr Ling said following the government's policy of ensuring speedy inflow and outflow of cargo and passengers, there was no longer congestion or delays at both airports and ports.
In the last five years alone, cargo handled in Malaysia had trippled from two million boxes to more than six million boxes, he said.
"Shipping lines and airlines are forming alliances, here we have formed alliances with Hutchison International in the port industry and Mearsk Sealand,
"We have opened the doors for foreign participation in our airlines and telecommunication industries," he added.-- BERNAMA