PTP hits 6m teu mark

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) handled over 6m teu for the first time in 2009, retaining its position as Malaysia’s leading container terminal. Bucking the economic trend, the achievement represented growth of 7.5% compared with 2008.

Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman, PTP chairman, said the increased throughput was achieved with lower overall costs, given considerable pressure on rates during this period.

"We are fortunate to be one of very few ports in the world which recorded an increase in container volumes in 2009" Sidik said in a statement.

"PTP managed to grow the port for a number of reasons. While existing customers contributed with new services, new volumes brought in by PTP’s latest signing, French shipping line CMA CGM also added to the numbers. There was also a 9% increase in local volume from the Johor industrial hinterland."

More Johor shippers are now using PTP for their import and export needs and the port handled 20% of Johor’s hinterland cargo last year.

"We now have more shipping lines calling our port compared to the early years. Apart from Evergreen and Maersk Line, we have CMA CGM, MISC and other shipping lines providing direct services to many global destinations. Local cargo shipped out of PTP do not need to go through other transhipment ports before they can connect to bigger long haul vessels, as they are already calling PTP directly," added Sidik.

Commenting on the outlook for 2010, Sidik said that despite signs of the global economy recovering, he predicted an overall challenging year ahead and a continued focus on cost management by ports and shipping lines.

"2010 will clearly be a challenging year. We expect lower operational costs for shipping lines to be a key focus area. We do, however, see this as an opportunity for PTP when shipping lines look for more efficient and cost-effective alternatives."