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Port of Tanjung Pelepas Sdn
Bhd (PTP), one of two major terminals in Johor,
is confident of achieving its volume target of
5.8 million to six million twenty-foot
equivalent units (TEUs) this year despite the
global economic slowdown.
Chairman Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman said PTP
had already handled about 2.8 million TEUs in
the first six months of this year.
Already an established transhipment hub in
South-East Asia where it ranks number 17 on the
world’s most active ports list, PTP is expected
to further enhance its portfolio via import and
export boxes.
“The percentage of local cargo for first six
months has increased by 90.44% against same
period last year,’’ Sidik told StarBiz.
“To enhance our local cargo operations further,
we are working closely with some liners to
promote the services at the port to local
shippers.”
PTP handled 5.5 million TEUs last year.
On the prospect of handling more local cargo, he
said, Iskandar Malaysia was poised to grow as
investors throng into the area.
“This will contribute to PTP’s local volume
throughput,” Sidik said.
PTP is 70%-owned by MMC Corp Bhd and 30% by APM
Terminals, which manages about 40 ports
worldwide.
Besides PTP, MMC also owns another port in Pasir
Gudang — Johor Port Bhd — in which it holds a
100% stake.
Sidik said although PTP was confident of
reaching its targeted growth this year, the
slower economy would inevitably affect the port
sector.
“Ports, as an important component in the
logistics and supply chain, will feel the pinch
of sluggish trade,” he said.
Sidik said despite the economic slowdown in the
US and the negative impact on global trade
following the increase in fuel price, ports in
South-East Asia still managed to post growth in
throughput volumes for the first six months of
this year.
Ports in Asia are probably shielded from the
global economic downturn as the trade within
Asia was growing faster than that with other
regions.
Asia-Pacific accounts for over 50% of Malaysia’s
trade compared with less than 20% with the US.
Based on that positive outlook, PTP is not
slowing down on its RM3bil expansion plan.
The port is currently constructing berth 11 and
12 that would provide another 720m of wharf
space at the south of berth 10, bringing the
total length to nearly 4.4km.
“Berth 11 is due for completion in May and berth
12 in September next year,” Sidik said.
He added that the two new berths were designed
to carry four of the world’s largest and latest
dual-hoist quay-side cranes.
To provide sufficient power to drive all the
cranes, PTP recently constructed a larger
electrical substation with a capacity of 132 kV.
“The construction of the container yard behind
these berths will start after the berths are
completed.
“The 32ha yard will provide space for 40,000
TEUs,” he said.
An additional 25 rubber-tyred gantry cranes as
well as 60 prime movers and trailers are
expected to be acquired to support the
operations of the two berths.
The total investment of the two berths and
container yard is around RM750mil.
PTP would commence the construction of berths 13
and 14 next year, said Sidik. |
