Kolkata-Malaysia direct ship link starts

Kolkata, May 04: The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), the largest container port of Malaysia will now have direct connectivity to the east coast of India with the introduction of Orient Express Lines' (OEL) new direct service between Kolkata and PTP.

Embarking on a roadshow, the Malayasian port aims at enhancing awareness in India about its position as a major transhipment hub in the region as well as promoting its free trade zone among Indian manufacturers, PTP Chairman Datuk Mohammad Sidik Osman said.

The service's first sailing will be by the vessel 'Marclipper' which will be flagged off today from Kolkata, arriving at PTP five days later followed by the vessel ''OEL Excellence'' sailing out of PTP to Kolkata on the May six.

Orient Express would deploy four vessels on the new service named ''Straits Bengal''.

The service would make fixed weekly calls at PTP, arriving every Saturday morning.

The port rotation of the new service would be PTP, Singapore, Port Klang, Calcutta and Haldia before returning to PTP.

''Presently, the Indian shippers use Singapore and Klang carrying 12000 tons of freight each way per month. Our idea is to extend the service to Klang to earn a portion of that business. We shall provide the Indian shippers with more options to deliver cargo to various destinations around the world as PTP, being a major transhipment port of the region, is already connected to most ports worldwide,'' Mr Osman said.

The new service would enhance the port's regional connectivity as well as ensure a faster turnaround time for shippers to send their goods between Johor and the east coast of India, he said.

Replying to a question, the PTP Chairman said strategically the port enjoyed a geographical advantage, being located at the end of the strait of Melacca which was very important for easy navigation.

''We shall also offer competitive port handling charges in PTP,'' Mr Osman said.

OEL (Singapore) managing director S Mahesh said the new service was expected to bring benefits to cargo owners from both the east coast of India and Johor as they would now have direct and faster connectivity.

Currently, an estimated volume of 30,000 containers originating from Johor is shipped to India, he said.

Mr Mahesh said the roadshow was intended to promote PTP's Free Zone to Indian manufacturers, shippers, forwarders, logistics providers and cargo owners by making them to expand business in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR).

''Through this roadshow, we hope that Indian investors will realize that the Pelepas Free Zone (PFZ), its hinterland and the IDR offer a very strategic location for them to expand their businesses,'' he said.

PTP chief executive officer Harun Johari said the port, with its global sea connectivity and the Free Zone, could help the Malayasian Government to develop the IDR into South-East Asia's next metropolis by driving the creation of an integrated logistics hub.

Developed over an area of more than 2000 acres, the PFZ is Malaysia's first Free Zone consisting of commercial and industrial parks which are integrated within a single boundary as the port's terminal.

UNI