Map Ta Phut mulls new port
The Industrial Estates Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is studying plans to build another port at Map Ta Phut, to accommodate more vessels, says authority governor Uthai Junthima.
"We plan to expand our port, because of high demand from operators that are increasing their production capacity in the area," he said.IEAT records show about 18 vessel trips a day at Map Ta Phut last year, a frequency that is quite crowded for industrial logistics. Uthai said the project needed investment of more than Bt1 billion to fill the sea with soil and construct and install equipment. As a result, the authority is inviting private-sector involvement in funding and managing the port and expects to be ready to receive the first investment proposals from companies next month. "We're open to all companies proposing their plans. However, we'll choose the one that offers us the most benefits," he said. He said he had contacted two PTT subsidiaries: Thai Possibilities Terminal and Thai Tank Terminal. These companies seem to have the most potential, because Thai Possibilities is the concessionaire operating the IEAT's ports, while Thai Tank Terminal operates other ports at Map Ta Phut, he said. A new port will be used for transferring liquids and general goods. It will cover 16 hectares and have a 500-metre waterfront. At present, Map Ta Phut has eight wharves, most of which were funded by private companies and are used for transferring specific types of goods, such as petrochemical products and metal. Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul The Nation
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