Optimistic of the robust customer
base generated since the operation of its Container Terminal in July 2001,
Jurong Port is embarking on the expansion of
Phase 3 of its Container Terminal.
Currently, over ten main lines and feeder operators such as Zim Line, CMA
CGM, Norasia Lines, Hanjin Shipping, Laurel Navigation, EP Carriers, Lily
Marine and Gold Star Line call at the Port on a regular basis. The Port’s
present monthly container throughput of around 20,000 TEUs is steadily growing
in contrast to less than 4,000 monthly TEUs handled in the previous year.
Under Phase 3 of the expansion project, the Port intends to augment its
current fleet of container handling equipment, such as three post panamax quay
cranes, two super post panamax quay
cranes, two mobile harbour cranes, and twelve rubber-tyre gantry cranes. Four
super post-panamax quay cranes capable of handling 18 rows across and ten
additional units of 1 over 7 high rubber-tyre gantry cranes will be provided to further beef up the Port’s cargo handling
capability. Furthermore, the Port will
develop another 4.5 hectares of container yard. Construction of the initial 2.4 hectares is scheduled to start
before the end of this year and is expected to be completed by April 2003. The development of the container yard will
be carried out by Singapore Piling & Civil Engineering Pte Ltd.
Officials of Jurong Port are confident that completion and operation of the Phase 3 expansion project will significantly boost the Port’s TEU handling capacity from the present 660,000 TEUs to over a million TEUs annually.
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BANGKOK PORT EXPANDS INLAND
SERVICES
Mr. Surajit Petyim, Managing Director of Bangkok Port revealed recently the various projects currently being undertaken at the Port intended to increase satisfaction of port clients, optimize utilization of the port’s resources and increase throughputs. These projects cover the development of the bonded warehouses to be a logistics center, development of a complete container depot and conversion of idle space in the conventional terminal for alternative purposes.
According to Director Petyim, bonded warehouses services have been expanded to serve an increase variety of cargoes. The available space has been increased by 3,120 sq. meters to accommodate heavy lift shipments such as raw materials and equipment. A 258-sq. meter cold storage room has been opened for storage of products requiring certain controlled temperature. The Port is also expanding the bonded area to the open area adjacent to the jute, cotton and kapok warehouse to receive nonded goods in FCL containers and reefers.
Bangkok Port selected the 15 acre plot of land near Koh Lao area as the proposed site for a container depot. The depot is designed to support container services at the container terminals as well as provide new services such a cleaning, repairing, pre-cooling and stuffing reefer containers. Currently, the details of the project are under consideration of the Customs Department. The depot is programmed to be operational by next year.
To address the persistent demand for services, the Port has also dedicated a section in the export operation zone for the initial container cleaning, repairing and pre-cooling services. Starting the middle of June, the Port has switched the operational areas between the empty container stacking area and the stuffing area in anticipation of the conversion of the 2,100 sq. meter vacant area close to Koh Lao for the container cleaning activity.
In support of the expansion program, the Port Authority of Thailand has simplified operating procedures which include waiving the Bank Guarantee requirements for depositing goods into the bonded warehouses. It has procured modern handling equipment, racks, pallets, and software for inventory management.
Details for the management and operation of the inland services are presently under consideration. Bangkok port is also selecting the stevedoring who will undertake the stripping of containers.
The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) has recently attained the Thai Industrial Standards 18001 (TIS 18001) certification for vessel services at the Port of Bangkok. Mr. Mana Patram, PAT’s Director General announced that the Port was the first agency in Thailand’s sea transport industry and the fourth state enterprise to achieve the certificate.
Bangkok port implemented the TIS 18001 in its vessel services designed to upgrade such services to international standards. The implementation, which is accordance with the national economic and social development policy, covers risk assessment and control in the operations and services, procurement of safety equipment for employees, setting up of operating and auditing procedures. The foregoing are aimed to save lives of those involved in the delivery of vessel services and to reduce damage to properties that may caused by accidents.
Mr. Patram disclosed that “PAT has adopted various international quality management standards into the port services.” He added that the latest TIS 18001 does not only enhance efficiency and reliability in the port vessel services but also helps in effectively reducing the level of operating costs. Besides the vessel services, PAT is not implementing the TIS 18001 in the engineering work and the ISM Code in the marine work.
In a related development, two new gantry cranes worth 266 million bath have started their service at Bangkok port (BKP). The new cranes replaced the cranes at the Container Terminal 1. BKP currently provides 14 gantry cranes at its two terminals. Apart from the gantry cranes, BKP is currently procuring additional handling equipment such as six units of shifters with minimum lift capacity of 35 metric tons, one unit of shifter with minimum lift capacity of 40 metric tons, two electric fork lift trucks and two rope boats.
Some 13 local and foreign companies signified their interest and bought tender documents to invest in the management and operation of Terminal C3 of Laem Chabang Port (LCP).
A pre-bid conference, chaired by Mr. Teerayudh Dummanonda, Managing Director of LCP, was held last August 2002. The conference discussed the bidding process as well as the operation, legal, investment, environmental aspects of the project. Mr. Dummanonda explained “that the government has the policy for government agencies to stop or reduce the importation of high valued products from abroad to address the trade deficit situation in the country. He, therefore, urged the bidders to take into account the policy and consider buying Thai manufactured products.
The 13 companies, consisting of terminal operators at LCP, shipping lines and foreign terminal operators, who attended the pre-bid conference were as follows: Thai Laem Chabang Co., Ltd.; LCB Container Terminal1; Evergreen Container Terminal (Thailand); Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal Co., Ltd.; TIPS Co., Ltd.; Laem Chabang International Terminal Co., Ltd.; Bangkok Modern Terminal Co., Ltd.; Maesrk Bangkok Branch; Samudera Shipping; United Thai Shipping; PSA Corp., Ltd.; Refill International Co., Ltd.; and, Sumitono Corp., Ltd.
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