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Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP)
has reiterated that it will meet its volume
target of 5.8 million 20ft equivalent units (TEUs)
this year in spite of the global economic
downturn.
Its new chief executive officer Capt Ismail
Hashim said the port was confident of reaching
its target although it had seen the impact of
the “contracting market” on its throughput
volume.
“This is largely contributed by new volumes
generated in the second and third quarters of
the year due to new services by existing and new
lines calling at PTP,” he told StarBiz.
He said the economic downturn would affect
global businesses and that experts predicted
world trade growth would decline next year.
“The economic downturn will have an impact on
world trade resulting in movement of goods by
containers slowing down. As a result, ports too
will be affected.
“In view of the challenging times ahead, there
is a need for us to adopt a lean management,” he
said.
However, Ismail said, PTP also believed that it
could turn challenges into opportunities.
“For PTP, there are several things that we can
do to prepare ourselves for the anticipated
difficult period ahead.
These include intensifying our efforts to lure
new customers.
“Our reputation as a reliable and efficient
port, which makes us cost competitive, will now
attract liners that are facing cost pressures.
“Although the growth for 2009 will not be as
robust as in previous years when the economy was
booming, we hope to achieve commendable growth
next year.
“This will be achieved through both transhipment
traffic and also the anticipated growth in local
hinterland cargo handled via PTP due to PTP’s
new services,” he said.
Ismail became the new CEO last month, succeeding
Harun Johari who is now the executive director
of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority.
Ismail is a master mariner who began his career
in 1972 as a deck cadet.
He joined the Marine Department in 1984 and was
the port officer of the northern states of
Malaysia for five years. Following that, he
headed the Examiner of Masters and Mates Unit of
the department at the headquarters.
In 1994, he joined the Penang Port Commission as
manager of the regulatory division.
He joined PTP in 1999 as general manager (marine
services) and was was promoted to deputy chief
executive officer in 2003. |
