Three more wharves to be built in PTP

Johor Bahru: The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) has allocated RM5 Billion to build three additional wharves spanning a total of 1.5km in the next three years to upgrade its container capacity.

Johor Port Authority general manager Muhammad Razif Ahmad said the plan will complement the existing 14 wharves and boost PTP’s handling capacity to 15 million twenty-foot equivalent (TEUs) by 2019.

He said the additional wharves will strengthen PTP’s position as the busiest container port in Malaysia.

Presently, it has a container handling capacity of 10.5 million TEUs.

One of the three new wharves will start operating at the end of 2018. Its construction will include deepening works for the cargo shipping lane.

“The Johor Port Authority and PTP continuously discuss the expansion of the port as it enters its 15^th year of operation.

“PTP is now in its second phase and will enter the third phase of development next year,” said Razif after the launch of Port week 2015 by Johor Port Authority Chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli at Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru, yesterday.

Razif said the port authority is implementing a strategic plan for PTP’s expansion until 2045, of which its targeted container capacity is expected to reach 75 million TEUs.

“PTP has room for further capacity expansion. Besides the Maersk Line, the MSC Oscar, which is the largest container ship in the world, has berthed at PTP a few times with its 19,000 TEUs,” he said, adding that the port’s target is to hit 9.2 million TEUs this year.

Razif said the port’s location in Iskandar Malaysia and the recognition it has received enable it to become a world-class facility.