JOHOR BARU: The Federal government fully supports the plan by the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) to expand its operations and capacity.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said PTP plays an important role in attracting investments in various sectors to the southern part of Malaysia, especially Johor.
"In Johor, one of the sectors focused on is logistics. To attract more multi-national companies to make Johor their logistics and distribution hub, we need to ensure sufficient facilities are available," said Loke.
He said PTP had indicated the intention to expand their capacity from the current 12.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 30 TEUs over the last two years.
"We are supportive of their plans but there is a need for good coordination between the Federal and state governments. I will be meeting the Menteri Besar (Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal) to discuss the technical details so that the expansion project will be implemented smoothly," said Loke.
He said PTP currently handles about nine million TEUs a year.
"It is enjoying an annual growth of eight to nine per cent which means that it will reach its capacity in the next three to four years. It is important for PTP to carry out expansion plans before it reaches its current capacity (limit)," said Loke.
Loke was speaking to the media after officiating the opening of Johor Port Authority's (LPJ) 2019 Port Week.
Also present were state Public Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri, LPJ chairman Rosnan Fathal and general manager Muhammad Razif Ahmad.