Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) 'will play a key role in fostering the growth' of trade between India and Malaysia.
This was stated by Mohammad Sidik Shaik Osman, chairman of the port, who was recently in Kolkatta to launch shipping services between Kolkatta/Haldia and the Malaysian port.
In an interview with Hindu Business Line, he said: 'Malaysia is India's biggest trading partner in South-East Asia and the two way trade is growing. In 2006, it was worth US$5.6 billion and is estimated to jump to US$10 billion in 2007. Our port will play a key role in fostering the growth.'
Mr Osman, who attended the launch of Singapore-based Orient Express Line, which has launched direct weekly services between PTP and Kolkatta/Haldia, said, 'There will be an additional sailing via Bangladesh.'
Giving details of the port's capacity, he said the port would be able to handle eight-million TEUs annually.
'In 2006, we handled 4.77 million TEUs, (which is) likely to rise to six million TEUs in 2007. We have a 3.6 km-linear quay (10 berths x 360 metres), a 154,000-TEU capacity container yard and 3,000 reefer points.
'The number of super post-panamax cranes is 27 and there are 72 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and integrated IT system.'
Asked what were the major shipping lines operating through PTP, Mr Osman said that Maersk, the world's biggest container operator had equity stake in PTP.
Several other lines such as Evergreen Malaysia International Shipping Company, Hamburg Sud Orient Express Line, MCC Transport, Utama Marine, Vinalines and Qc Lines, also place their mainland vessels at the port. 'Negotiations are on with several others,' he added.
Asked on its growth from a fishing village to a leading port, he said there were several factors, including its location.
The Straits of Malacca's strategic location has made Malaysia an important transshipment and distribution hub. 'Our port is strategically located at the intersection of east and west international sea trade lanes.'
This was stated by Mohammad Sidik Shaik Osman, chairman of the port, who was recently in Kolkatta to launch shipping services between Kolkatta/Haldia and the Malaysian port.
In an interview with Hindu Business Line, he said: 'Malaysia is India's biggest trading partner in South-East Asia and the two way trade is growing. In 2006, it was worth US$5.6 billion and is estimated to jump to US$10 billion in 2007. Our port will play a key role in fostering the growth.'
Mr Osman, who attended the launch of Singapore-based Orient Express Line, which has launched direct weekly services between PTP and Kolkatta/Haldia, said, 'There will be an additional sailing via Bangladesh.'
Giving details of the port's capacity, he said the port would be able to handle eight-million TEUs annually.
'In 2006, we handled 4.77 million TEUs, (which is) likely to rise to six million TEUs in 2007. We have a 3.6 km-linear quay (10 berths x 360 metres), a 154,000-TEU capacity container yard and 3,000 reefer points.
'The number of super post-panamax cranes is 27 and there are 72 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and integrated IT system.'
Asked what were the major shipping lines operating through PTP, Mr Osman said that Maersk, the world's biggest container operator had equity stake in PTP.
Several other lines such as Evergreen Malaysia International Shipping Company, Hamburg Sud Orient Express Line, MCC Transport, Utama Marine, Vinalines and Qc Lines, also place their mainland vessels at the port. 'Negotiations are on with several others,' he added.
Asked on its growth from a fishing village to a leading port, he said there were several factors, including its location.
The Straits of Malacca's strategic location has made Malaysia an important transshipment and distribution hub. 'Our port is strategically located at the intersection of east and west international sea trade lanes.'