Laem Chabang port starts third phase upgrade

Thailand's Laem Chabang port is embarking on its third phase of logistics development to facilitate goods transportation and cope with growth of the country's eastern seaboard, Seatrade Asia online reports.

Jarupong Ruangsuwan, Thailand's transport minister, said the third phase would be completed in the next five years, potentially increasing the port's capacity to 18.8m teu in 20 years' time.

The minister added that the construction of a major road linking Laem Chabang port with the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong is also being planned, together with the building of a double-track railway from Laem Chabang to Chachoengsao province.

A budget of THB120bn ($3.8bn) will be required to develop the network of transport to upgrade the deepwater port of Laem Chabang.