PETALING JAYA: Major Malaysian ports ended 2021 on a high, with new milestones notched at Johor’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), which became the first container terminal in Malaysia to surpass 11 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) throughput in a year, further strengthening its position as one of the top 15 global ports.
Port Klang’s Westport and Northport also made history when they achieved 13.64 million TEUs, surpassing 2019’s record of 13.58 million TEUs.
PTP’s feat was recorded on Dec 25 while Port Klang’s was on Dec 28 during the loading process (and hit 13.74 million TEUs by Dec 31).
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said PTP ultimately registered 11.2 million TEUs at the end of 2021, an increase of 14% compared to 9.8 million TEUs in 2020.
“This is despite the many challenges of Covid-19 as well as the spillover effects of container shortages, port congestions and most recently, adverse weather conditions.
“We are proud of the historic achievements, and the ministry will continue to support our ports in gearing up to meet new challenges and achieve even more in 2022,” he said after an event at the PTP yesterday to mark the achievement.
Also present were PTP chief executive officer Marco Neelsen, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad and ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak.
In his speech, Dr Wee congratulated PTP for its achievement.
“At the time when other ports around the world are still reeling from the impact caused by various business and operational issues due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, as well as freight costs, port congestions, vessel blockages, equipment and manpower shortages and others, PTP has shown great resilience in navigating these challenges.
“PTP had also recorded a few other milestones throughout 2021, including successfully achieving the first annualised volume throughput of 10 million TEUs, becoming the first port in South-East Asia to welcome the world’s largest container vessel, Evergreen Ever Ace, and the world’s first and largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered container ship CMA CGM Jacques Saade.
“The tremendous growth of PTP over the years has thus truly underlined the value of the maritime sector to Malaysia’s economic well-being and the importance of the trade economy to the nation,” he said.
As ports are essential contributors to Malaysia’s growing international trade and crucial to the prosperity of its trade-dependent economy, Dr Wee said the government spares no effort in continuously developing the industry by enhancing its capacity, developing human resources, ensuring the safety of ships and navigation, and continuously providing efficient ancillary services.
“This is why we continue to make long-term efforts towards achieving these goals, such as ensuring that we secure Malaysia’s seat at the International Maritime Organisation Council (Category C) for the ninth term in London last Dec 10.
“It keeps us at the forefront of marine industry policy-making and developments,” he said, adding that more needs to be done to enhance Malaysian seaports to improve their competitiveness.
“I want the ports to continue enhancing their infrastructure, management and operational efficiency to improve the country’s competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive global market.
“More needs to be done in terms of ports and shipping development for the country to fully optimise the usage of our maritime resources, infrastructure, and expertise.
“Malaysian ports still remain at the forefront of the transport and trade facilitators, and will continue to receive full support from the government to succeed,” he said.
Reference: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/01/08/johors-ptp-notches-new-milestones#.YdjlPsVpHoI.whatsapp