GLOBAL economic uncertainties amid a pandemic-triggered health crisis has not deterred Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) – Malaysia’s largest container terminal – to achieve the impossible.
The 70:30 joint venture between MMC Group and Hague-based APM Terminals registered a strong terminal growth after accomplishing record-breaking 9.8 million TEUs (twenty equivalent units) total throughput last year, an almost 8% growth from the 9.1 million TEUs recorded in 2019.
Last year, PTP invested more than RM700 mil on in an effort to improve its container handling capacity, capability and reliability, according to its chairman Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.
This is done by procuring an additional eight Super Post Panamax Quay cranes, 10 electrified rubber-tyred gantries (ERTG) and the dredging of its navigation channel to ensure new generation of ultra large container vessels (ULCV) ships can safely navigate to its port.
“By investing in our assets, we are further establishing our terminal as one of the best equipped and most technologically advanced terminals in the region,” Che Khalib pointed out.
“This will ensure that PTP can keep up with the rapid changes in the port and shipping industry, subsequently meeting the growing demand of our customers.”
PTP CEO Marco Neelsen said the trajectory growth was achieved on the back of a surge in extra transhipment calls volume received by the port due to the increase demand in Asia and Europe, as well as requests from customers to increase their throughput in PTP.
“Despite some challenges during 2Q FY2020, the second half of the year went very positive for PTP with an upsurge of volume due to the opening of countries’ borders and the reviving of the global trade economy for China, Transpacific and Europe regions,” he justified.
“PTP’s readiness and proactive drive to handle these demands have definitely cushioned the downside scenario and impact of sluggish global trade saw earlier as a result of COVID-19 outbreak and the measures taken by countries to halt the pandemic.”
PTP recorded a string of record-breaking terminal performance throughout 2020, including accomplishing the latest all-time highest record for TEUs handling in a month with 967,783 TEUs as well as the highest moves in a single shift with a total of 12,411 moves (19,984 TEUs) last December. – Jan 25, 2021
