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Westport
has called for tenders for the
construction of 2.4 km container
berth that is expected to double its
present capacity to 5.0 million TEUs
per annum.
The
port, which has so far invested
about RM2.5 billion on the
development of the facilities and
services at Pulau Lumut in Port
Klang, is aggressively expanding its
capacity in a bid to attract more
transshipment traffic which has been
its mainstay since it commenced
operation six years ago.
Work
on the development of the new
terminal (CT2), which will be
constructed linearly from the
present container terminal (CT1), is
expected to begin sometime in
December 2001 and will be fully
completed by August 2004.
Westport
which, despite the economic
downturn, has declared its
confidence to handle 1.5 million
TEUs this year, has set its target
high for next year at 1.8 million
TEUs and by 2005, to handle five
million TEUs.
The
port, which now offers 2,000 metres
of berth, will add 400 metres of
quayline by the middle of next year
to meet the demand from major
carriers.
Westport
has embarked on further expansion to
cope with not only the growing size
of vessels (such as the 9,000 TEUs
and 10,000 TEUs ship) but also to
serve the growing trend for shipping
lines (or alliances) to operate
their own berths.
Among
the shipping lines which are looking
at Westport as a regional hub
include CGM-CMA and China Container
Shipping Line which has expressed
keenness in securing dedicated
terminal arrangements with Westport.
The
total cost for the construction of
the addition 2.4 kms of berth is
expected to carry a price tag of
RM2.0 billion.
Meanwhile,
the port, which now has a fleet of
11 shoreside cranes wants to add
another seven shoreside cranes to
boost its present capacity of about
2.5 million TEUs per annum.
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