Tanjung Langsat Port Sees Double Digit Growth for 2014

Malaysia's biggest non-state owned terminal operator Tanjung Langsat Port (TLP) in Johor saw total cargo throughput rise 47.7% to 11.6m tonnes last year from 7.85m tonnes the year before and forecasts more double digit growth this year, ceo Johari Shukri Jamil said in a press release.

“2013 was a milestone year for us; the 11.60m tonnes in total throughput achieved last year elevated the port to the country’s largest “private jetty” operator,” said Johari.
 

He credited the management's on-going business transformation to improve operational efficiency as well as the deepening of the navigation channel for both the dry and liquid jetties for the good results. "The team at TLP has made excellent progress in transforming the port into a niche development to cater to the needs of the oil and gas industry,” added Johari.
             
Growth has been good since TLP began its transformation programme in 2011, when from just 4.00m tonnes it nearly doubled throughput within a year. This growth was set against the background of increased vessel activity where the number of vessels docking at TLP had more than tripled from 252 in 2011 to 767 in 2013, Johari said as the deepening of the navigation channel enabled the docking of suezmax class vessels.
 
“The oil and gas industry has always been a global industry and we are expecting to see a steady growth this year. The outlook is positive and we are confident of achieving our throughput forecast of 15m tonnes for 2014," he said.
 
Johari noted that two additional liquid berths, which will bring the total number of liquid berths to seven, scheduled to be operational by mid-2014 will drive this double-digit growth, especially in terms of the port’s liquid cargo throughput which in turn will attract more oil and gas investors to come in.
                                                                                                                                              
On the dry bulk side, TLP forecasts an average annual growth rate of about 15% to 20%. TLP’s dry cargo is made up of steel coil, empty and full laden reels, and general cargo. Increasing bulk and break bulk activities will ensure continued cargo growth momentum, Johari said.

Meanwhile the port continues to receive strong interest from independent oil storage operators and oil traders to set up their operations there.