Port of Tanjung Pelepas receives four new STS cranes

The new ship-to-shore cranes are the tallest in any port in Southeast Asia and are part of a $121.9 million port enhancement plan for the major transshipment hub, the port said in a statement.    Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) recently received four new cranes at 55.5 meters tall, making it the first port in Southeast Asia to have the region’s tallest ship-to-shore quay cranes at its port, PTP announced.  
   The cranes weigh in at 1,900 metric tons each and are the first of an eight-crane order, with the remaining four cranes expected to be delivered by December, the port said. The cranes are part of a RM500 million (U.S. $121.9 million) port enhancement plan to create a new, full capacity berth for mega vessels.
   “By investing in state-of-the-art assets, we are further establishing our terminal as one of the best equipped and most technologically advanced terminal port in the region,” said Dato’ Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, chairman of PTP. “This is to ensure that PTP progresses well with the rapid changes within the port and shipping industry and subsequently meet the growing customer demand.” he added. 
   PTP currently operates with 14 berths and 50 existing cranes. “As the country’s largest transshipment hub, it is imperative for the port to increase its capacity to ensure future growth while still offering valuable business proposition to its clients,” said Marco Neelsen, chief executive officer of PTP.
   “The new quay cranes will complement the 50 existing cranes in operation at PTP. Additionally, PTP has also acquired other terminal equipment such as 93 units of prime movers and 29 units of rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTG). In terms of infrastructure upgrading, two (2) berths will be upgraded to accommodate the new Triple E Cranes, whilst the capital dredging to deepen the channel is commencing, several key initiatives have also taken place accordingly,” said Neelsen. 
   “With demographic changes and the increased globalization as well as regional growth continue to drive the advance of container transport, the investments in port infrastructure, global supply and demand cycles have also created stiffer competition between ports especially across the SEA region. Our investment towards comprehensive upgrading, refurbishment and replacement of terminal capacity and equipment is therefore a true testament of our aspiration in becoming the preferred port of choice in the region,” Neelson concluded.