KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 – Seaport Terminal Sdn Bhd today denied allegations that the company intends to relegate Penang Port to a feeder port.
The company also said there was absolutely no plan to transfer Penang Port’s cranes to Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Johor as alleged.
“Our business plan includes comprehensive strategies to develop the port into a premier regional port that will be competitive,” the company said in a statement here, today.
“Seaport Terminal is committed to invest in increasing the capacity of Penang Port. We will deepen the navigation channel according to the needs of the port. Therefore, allegations that no dredging works will take place, are unfounded,” it added.
Seaport Terminal was invited in 2011, along with several local and international port companies, to submit bids for the privatisation of Penang Port Sdn Bhd.
“We understand that three other parties also participated. Seaport Terminal was chosen as the preferred bidder based on the strength and merits of its proposal,” the company added.
Seaport Terminal said it had submitted a comprehensive proposal based on thorough studies into the port’s current operations, its potential growth as well as sustainability.
Our track record in managing and developing ports in Malaysia goes back 17 years, it added.
In 1995, Seaport Terminal built Malaysia’s first dedicated container port at Tanjung Pelepas, from scratch.
In less than 10 years, the company grew PTP into the largest container terminal in Malaysia and the 17th busiest port in the world.
In 2011, PTP handled 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared to 423,000 in 2000.
“In 1995, we also privatised Pasir Gudang Port which was developed into a premier regional port. Today, Pasir Gudang Port is a major multi-purpose port, with the world’s largest palm oil storage facilities.
“It is one of the few ports in the world to be accorded the London Metal Exchange accreditation for storage of commodities,” the company said.
At the point of the privatisation in 1995, the port was handling 238,000 TEUs and 1 million tonnes in conventional cargo.
In 2011, Pasir Gudang Port handled 830,700 TEUs and 16.9 million tonnes in conventional cargo.
“Both PTP and Pasir Gudang Port have played an important role in catalysing the economic growth of Johor as well as the country. We are confident of doing the same in Penang,” Seaport Terminal said.
