KUALA LUMPUR: Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd (PTP), a member of MMC Group, became the first port in the world to depart a vessel with a final load over 19,000 TEUs.
The milestone was accomplished on 18 August 2018 when Mumbai Maersk, one of Maersk’s 2nd Generation Triple-E vessels, left the port with the record load of 19,038 TEUs.
The vessel, deployed on the Asia-to-Europe Service (AE5) arrived from Shanghai, China to PTP and is now en route to Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands.
In a statement, PTP said the feat was accomplished with efficient planning and execution of container operations and good optimization of resources.
PTP chairman and MMC group managing director, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, said the latest achievement is testament to PTP’s commitment in providing best in class service for our customers.
“As Malaysia’s leading ports & logistics operators, we take pride in our ability to anticipate and understand the needs of our customers as well as our agility to adapt to the changes of the industries that we operate in, in order for us to stay ahead.
“As such, we are very proud of this significant milestone as it is only made possible by the passion and commitment of our employees and all parties involved. PTP will build on our performance and deliver the service levels and productivity required to meet the demand of our customers and stakeholders,” he added.
PTP chief executive officer Marco Neelsen added that despite the robust conditions, PTP continues to witness a steady volume growth by delivering high efficiency in productivity and competitiveness.
“Various continuous investment and improvement activities have been successfully executed and are currently taking place to ensure that we are able to achieve our target set forth for this financial year, and more importantly to safeguard PTP’s position amongst the top transhipment hub in the world,” he added.
PTP is currently embarking on an ongoing equipment acquisition, preventive maintenance initiatives and infrastructure upgrading programme worth over RM1.2 billion. The programme includes the purchase of new quay cranes with spreaders, rubber-tyred gantries and prime movers, berth upgrading and the deepening of channel to accommodate the new generation of mega vessel that will berth at PTP.
PTP recorded a total throughput volume of 8.4 Million TEUs in 2017 and is projected to handle a total throughput target of 9 Million TEUs this year.