Malaysia’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Johor will invest more than MYR8.6 billion (US$2.1 billion) in new berths and equipment over the next five to 15 years to expand capacity.
Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, chairman of PTP, a subsidiary of MMC Corp Bhd, told local media the immediate plan is to embark on a comprehensive upgrading, including the refurbishing of quay cranes and rubber-tired gantries.
The PTP’s existing equipment will also be replaced to increase annual handling capacity from the current 10.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units to 13.2 million TEUs.
This will be followed by the development of Phase 3 which is expected to take place in 2018, said the port official.
“Phase 3A and 3B, which consist of six new berths of three kilometers in length, will enable us to increase our handling capacity to 22.2 million TEUs before 2030,” he said.
At present, the country’s biggest single-port operator is operating with 14 berths measuring 5 kilometers of quay length.
Che Khalib said the company is determined to increase efficiency and productivity levels at PTP in order to remain competitive in the market and ultimately emerge as the most preferred transshipment port in Asia.
Johor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the state has experienced tremendous economic and development transformation over the years, rising to become one of the fastest growing economies in the region. “We acknowledge the contribution PTP has made to the growth of Johor,” he added.
He said the port expansion will create more jobs for the locals and position Johor as a regional economic powerhouse.
