ASEAN Ports Association Malaysia (MAPA)

JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 31 (Bernama) — The Port of Tanjung Langsat (PTL), in Pasir Gudang, will emerge as the leading chemical logistics hub in South East Asia, given the edge it has over its competitors.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the port’s advantages were obvious although it has to compete with integrated petrochemical complexes in Pahang, Terengganu, and Pulau Jurong in Singapore.

Speaking to reporters after officiating PTL’s liquid cargo berth here today, he said PTL can boost of its deepwater facility and offered a far lower cost of operation compared with other ports.

TLP is the third port in Johor, designed to complement the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port.

Positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s premier speciality terminal, it handles bulk cargo such as liquefied petroleum gas and dangerous chemicals.

“PTL’s strategic location in South East Asia will make it the leading port for bulk liquid cargo handling.

“Besides being very spacious with a 4.5 kilometre shoreline fronting the Straits of Johor and depths of 12.8 metres, the port can accommodate large vessels,” he said.

Johor Corporation, which owns PTL, has invested RM300 million to develop five liquid cargo berths.

Its President and Chief Executive, Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim, said another RM600 million would be invested to install additional berth facilities at the port.

By 2012, Johor Corporation would have invested more than RM1 billion and, todate, has invested about RM500 million to develop itself to complement the nearby Tanjung Langsat Industrial Estate.

With the completion of the PTL’s liquid cargo berth, the port can now handle 26 million metric tonnes of liquid cargo annually, making it the biggest liquid cargo port in the country and region.

The PTL berth will also serve Langsat Bulkers Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture between PTL and Felda Johor Bulkers.

As for activities at the complex, Abdul Ghani said Asiaflex Products Sdn Bhd which was in the midst of completing a RM500 million flexible pipe factory, was planning additional investments to produce high-tech “Umbilical Cords”.

Besides, South Korea’s Kiswire Neptune is planning to invest RM250 million to manufacture steel wire ropes at the integrated complex.

THE Dermaga Tanjung Lembung (DTL) Port in Bukit Malut, Langkawi has handled 524,637 units of vehicles from the time it began operations in 1997 till July this year.

General Manager of Langkawi Port Sdn Bhd, Muhd Nasir Abdul Aziz said various vehicles had been handled at the port from cars to lorries and buses which were transported either to the island or mainland.

During the period, DTL also handled cargoes amounting to 2,796,811 metric tonnes and 8,331 units of containers.

Muhd Nasir said that for the first seven months of this year, cargo handled amounted to 152,273 metric tonnes, while the number of vehicles handled was 33,425 vehicles and containers 701.

Since Monday, DTL has also handled 1,200 cars with the “KV” plates taken to the mainland for use to transport workers returning to Langkawi to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri at their respective kampung.

DTL also plays an important role as a main gateway in driving development in the resort island of Langkawi, Muhd Nasir said in a statement today.

The port, which is managed by Langkawi Port, is the main port that handles the entry as well as loading of cargo into the island including that from Thailand and Singapore.

Muhd Nasir said DTL handled three areas, namely general cargo, vehicles and containers.

To facility easier access for ships to call at the port, DTL has also carried out works to deepen the harbour area. The works were completed last month, he said.

The port operator is also in the midst of upgrading its security systems at the port to ensure that all entry and exits at the port are recorded. – Bernama

By: Btimes.com.my