Largest private-run deep-sea port to open

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

30 Oct 2007

In a bid to meet rapidly increasing shipping trade with China, Kerry Siam Seaport announced it will open Thailand's largest privately-run deep-sea port at Laem Chabang by January 2008. The port is 14.5 metres deep with four conventional terminals and two container terminals. Boasting integrated logistics services the facilities have a total capacity to accommodate four million tonnes of general cargo and handle up to 400,000 TEUs per year. Kerry Siam Seaport officials expect the close to $48 million multi-purpose logistical module facility to 'drive revenue growth of 150%' in 2008, said marketing manager Premins Pakadhej. Officials also say that the port has been designed as a 'tailor-made' integrated service facility which would provide exporters with one-stop and door-to-door worldwide transportation. Pakadhej said the port will be employing advanced Navis technology as part of efforts to try and ''meet the high standards of terminal handling set by PSA in Singapore''. Kerry Siam Seaport would be an exporting gateway to China, targeting shippers exporting mainly sugar and petrochemicals, he added.Reports are already talking about a venture between Kerry Siam Seaport and Germany's Alfred Talke which has been setting up a warehouse and distribution hub in China since early this year to handle cargo directly from the Thai port.