KUALA LUMPUR: The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a joint venture between MMC Corporation Bhd and APM Terminals, has set a new record by handling 1.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in a month without experiencing congestion.
This surpasses the previous high of 1.07 million TEUs achieved in May 2024.
"It not only makes PTP the first port in Malaysia to achieve this feat back-to-back, but also reinforces PTP's status as one of the leading maritime and transshipment hubs, both regionally and globally," it said.
PTP said that significant port congestion worldwide has become a global issue, leading to substantial delays in vessel schedules and major disruptions to global supply chains.
"This has led to increased costs and inflationary pressures, affecting not only ocean container carriers and ports, but also end consumers," it added.
The port mentioned that the congestion is mainly due to militant attacks on commercial vessels, referred to as the Red Sea Crisis.
This situation has compelled shipping lines to take a longer route around Africa for safety reasons.
PTP chairman Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh stated that the port's ability to achieve this performance without any congestion reaffirms PTP's essential role in the global supply chains.
"By seamlessly managing such substantial cargo volumes, we also demonstrate our capacity to consistently deliver exceptional service to our valued customers and partners while contributing to Malaysia's economic growth," he said.
PTP chief executive officer Mark Hardiman noted that the achievement is significant, considering the port's consistent performance of handling over 1 million TEUs for three consecutive months since May of this year.
"Our journey has not been without its challenges, but it is precisely these trials that have shaped our resilience and determination.
"The foundation of our success lies in PTP's unwavering focus on our people, technology, and processes, with safety as our core value and our customers at the heart of everything we do," he said.
Mark added that PTP's commitment to sustainable growth is evident in the substantial focus on upgrading port assets and enhancing infrastructure.
He stated that these efforts are closely aligned with the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda, safety policies, and digitalisation strategy.
This alignment has enabled the port to effectively manage global congestion challenges while continuing to make improvements and expand.