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Ports still struggling with complexities of mega-ships and alliances: PSA chairman

Ports still struggling with complexities of mega-ships and alliances: PSA chairman
Ports and shipping lines are still struggling with some of the complexities brought about by mega-containerships and alliances according to PSA International chairman Fock Siew Wah.

Speaking at the official opening of the SGD3.5bn ($2.61bn) phases 3 and 4 of PSA’s Pasir Panjang Terminal in Singapore on Tuesday Fock said they “would never hestitate to invest in the right capacities and capabilities” to serve its customers well.

“As in the case when all our shipping friends upsized their ships and formed mega-alliances, that bring with it all sorts of complexities that they and us are sometimes still struggling with,” he said.

Ultra-large containerships have been blamed for congestion that was seen across the Asia – Europe trade last year, on which Singapore is a key transshipment hub.

The ability of the new phases of PPT to handle mega-containerships of 18,000 teu and above were stressed at the opening ceremony, including in a presentation given to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. PPT phases 3 and 4 have 6,000 m of quay with 18 m draught and will bring PSA Singapore Terminals capacity to 50m teu once fully operational by end 2017.  mega