Hutchison Ports Thailand, the leading port operator in Thailand, officially opened its Terminal D facility at Laem Chabang Port, Chonburi.
Already attracting some of the world’s largest ocean going container vessels, Terminal D’s world leading remote control technology will significantly boost Hutchison Ports Thailand’s operational efficiency and productivity, heralding a new era for Thailand as a global shipping hub.
Terminal D, one of the world’s first container terminals fully equipped with remote control technology for all of its quay cranes and yard side rubber tyred gantry cranes, will be the largest and most advanced deep sea container terminal in Thailand, with the capability of handling some of the world’s largest ocean going container vessels currently in operation. An initial phase of Terminal D is now officially open for operations, offering a combined total of 400 meters of berth, 3 of the world’s largest quay cranes and 10 supporting rubber tyred gantry cranes. A further batch of 3 quay cranes and 10 rubber tyred gantry cranes arrived on 29 January 2019 and will be brought into operation over the course of the coming months.
On full completion, Terminal D will operate a total of 1,700 meters of berth, with 17 quay cranes and 43 remote control rubber tyred gantry cranes all using remote control technology, and adding an additional 3.5 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit of container). This will increase the container handling capacity at Laem Chabang Port by approximately 40% to 13 million TEU. The adoption of remote control technology will bring enhanced safety, efficiency and productivity for shipping lines and other port users.
In November last year, Hutchison Ports Thailand welcomed the largest ever container vessel to berth in Thailand by being the first terminal operator in the country to handle a container vessel with a length overall of in excess of 350 meters when the Ocean Network Express’s ONE COLUMBA called at Terminal D.
Speaking at Terminal D’s grand opening ceremony at Laem Chabang, Mr. Stephen Ashworth, Managing Director – Thailand & South East Asia of Hutchison Ports, said, “Terminal D is now becoming a reality and is already receiving some of the world’s largest container vessels. It is a world-class facility and provides a significant boost to Hutchison Ports Thailand’s operational efficiency and productivity. The investments that have been made clearly demonstrate that Hutchison Ports continues to be a serious long-term investor in Thailand’s infrastructure. For the first time in Thailand, container loading and discharge operations are being handled by cranes that are equipped with remote control capabilities. The new terminal will also help to increase supply chain efficiency in Thailand by creating opportunities for further development in the EEC and contributing to the Thai government’s vision for sustainable economic prosperity.”
About Hutchison Ports Thailand:
Hutchison Ports Thailand (HPT) is specially designed to facilitate Thailand’s growing container traffic. It is situated in Laem Chabang Port, the largest port in Thailand, just 130 kilometres to the southeast of Bangkok in the coastal province of Chonburi. The port provides a full range of auxiliary services, including a container freight station, a double track railway and improved highway connections with Thailand’s hinterland. HPT currently operates Terminals A2, A3, C1, and C2 and is now developing for operation, D1, D2 and D3.
HPT is a member of Hutchison Ports, the port and related services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CK Hutchison). Hutchison Ports is the world’s leading port investor, developer and operator with a network of port operations in 51 ports spanning 26 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years, Hutchison Ports has expanded into other logistics and transportation-related businesses, including cruise ship terminals, airport operations, distribution centers, rail services and ship repair facilities.