Ministry plans to upgrade Andaman ports and railways
The Transport Ministry has adjusted the country's strategic plan for logistics by focusing on developing ports along the Andaman coast and rail routes to serve goods transported from South Asia and China.
After recently meeting with the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) on the five-year (2007-2011) logistics plan, the ministry has been told to revise parts of the plan as the country aims to strengthen its position as regional logistics hub. An official source said the revision of the logistics strategic plan should be completed by the end of July and then proposed to the NESDB. "We need to increase the country's potential of transporting products and goods from South Asia, especially India, and from southern China," the source said. The ports to be developed are Pak Bara in Satun, Ranong and Chiang Saen II at Chiang Rai. The first two will serve the increasing volume of products from South Asia while Chiang Saen II handles goods from southern China. The ministry expects Laem Chabang in Chon Buri to lose business to ports in Vietnam, where many manufacturers are located. Ports along the Andaman coast will benefit, as goods arriving from South Asia and China save 10 days' shipping time if they do not have to go on to Laem Chabang or Vietnam. The source said the revised logistics plan would also cut investment for the proposed Inland Container Depot. The ministry will shift funds intended for that project to new or improved rail links to the upgraded ports. The ministry plans to set up a special unit to oversee investment in the rail routes. It has earmarked Bt40.24 billion to develop 39 logistics-related projects. Fourteen of these involve upgrading trade-distribution channels and the centre for product distribution, six are for e-logistics development, and seven each are for upgrading logistics human resources and improving law enforcement. The remaining five concern general logistics business development. Logistics-related projects include the Kaeng Khoi-Klong 19-Chachoengsao double-track rail-route project budgeted at Bt5.92 billion and the Chachoengsao-Laem Chabang double-track rail route with investment cost of Bt5.23 billion. The ICD project at Lat Krabang is budgeted at Bt6.06 billion, the Pak Bara deep-sea port at Bt5.49 billion, the road project to Chiang Saen II at Bt5.65 billion and the port itself at Bt1.1 billion.
Watcharapong Thongrung The Nation
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