Local reports cited MMC Corp unit Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) ceo Glen Hilton as saying that the capex allocated for next year would be spent on acquiring prime-movers, rubber-tyred-gantry (RTG) cranes and quay cranes
.“We want to increase the port’s (capacity) to 15m teu in 2018 from 8.3m teu as of November this year," he said. PTP expects throughput to reach 9.2m teu by year-end.“This is in line with the growing transshipment industry, particularly in Southeast Asia. This equipment is expected to be delivered to us in the third quarter of next year,” he added.
He said the intra-Asia sailing frequency per week stood at above 45 times, followed by Africa (13 times) and Europe or Mediterranean (11 times).Hilton noted however that the ringgit's volatility had affected PTP as new cranes are priced in US dollars, with an estimated cost of $10m per unit.
PTP has spent MYR300m to purchase new equipment and facilities including 26 RTG cranes in addition to the existing 174 RTGs so far this year.
PTP is also considering expanding its 607ha free trade zone, Hilton said. Options included considering new land purchase or leveraging on MMC’s landbank to grow the business.
“There’s certainly a demand for free trade zone and this will be intensified through business relocation or starting up (start up companies),” he said, adding the port was in discussions with several companies to build and develop the land.
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