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Pelabuhan
Tanjung Pelepas in Johor, that has
effectively checked Singapore’s
ambition to dislodge Hong Kong for
the world number one container port
ranking, is itself well positioned
to move up to the premier league.
Billed
as the world’s fastest-growing
port, PTP that was ranked 108th
world container port in 2000,
dramatically shot up to claim the
22nd place last year overtaking
several established ports worldwide
along the way.
PTP,
which last month wrested from
Singapore the Taiwanese-owned
Evergreen Marine Corporation, is
ready to move up well within the
first 20 ports – an ascent that
has no parallel among any ports in
the world.
With
an estimated volume of about 1.2
million TEUs that is expected to be
shifted from Singapore by Evergreen
Marine Corporation – that includes
Evergreen Line, Uniglory Lines and
Lloyds Triestino – PTP could
marshal more than three million TEUs
this year.
For
the full year next year, PTP could
handled close to five million TEUs
– that will put the port well
ahead of Port Klang that last year
managed to retain its 12th world
ranking despite ravings to make it
into the league of world’s first
10 ports.
PTP,
which last year handled about 2.05
million TEUs, composed largely of
traffic generated by Maersk which
holds 30 per cent equity in PTP,
expects to handle about 2.5 million
TEUs from the Danish line and
further 500,000 TEUs from Evergreen
group of lines.
With
prospects of PTP securing at least
one more line before end of this
year, its performance for 2003 is
expected to put it ahead of ports
like New York, Tokyo and Dubai and
closer in ranking to Antwerp and
Hamburg.
Meanwhile
industry observes expect the
critical mass that is building up at
PTP is expected to enhance migration
of traffic from other neighbouring
ports, including its sister port –
Johor Port – which like PTP is
controlled by Seaport Terminan Bhd.
“One
such possibility rationalization
exercise that could be introduced by
Evergreen which has strong presence
at Johor and Port Klang,” said a
source.
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