The paperless RM400,000 (S$192,000) Vessel Clearance System (VCS) will do away with the previous system of requesting port clearances involving manual submissions to four government agencies, including: Royal Customs & Excise, Marine, Health and Immigration Departments.

The VCS is the first of its kind to be implemented in a Malaysian port and according to PTP's chief executive, Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman: 'The electronic Vessel Clearance System is part of the port's effort in providing efficient services in handling and also clearance. The implementation of the system will ensure better utilisation of resources by shipping agents, thus reducing redundancy. These innovations are in line with our aspiration to establish PTP as a leading transhipment hub in the region.'

 

The port also received five rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes as part of its first phase of capacity expansion which included 15 RTG cranes, the initial five of which it received in January. 'This latest delivery of the RTGs increases our yard planning and terminal efficiency,' Mr Sidik said.

 

The port currently has 52 RTGs, 14 Super Post Panamax quay cranes and an additional 10 quay cranes that will be operational by end-2002.

 

Once these facilities are in place for the phase one expansion, PTP's handling capacity will be boosted to 4.5 million TEUs per year