Latest news with #VTMS
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PNSC eyes $700mn freight earnings amid fleet expansion
Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is expected to generate an estimated $700 million in freight earnings by expanding its cargo fleet to 34 vessels over the next three years. This was announced during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, on Friday, read a statement. During the meeting, the minister was informed that PNSC currently manages approximately 11% of the country's cargo by volume and 4% by value. The national carrier is now targeting to increase its cargo handling to 52% by volume and 43% by value (excluding containerised cargo) within three years. PNSC is Pakistan's national flag carrier, primarily engaged in the transportation of dry bulk and liquid cargoes globally. It was established in 1979 by merging the National Shipping Corporation (NSC) and the Pakistan Shipping Corporation. PNSC operates under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Government of Pakistan. Presenting the business plan, the federal minister emphasised the need for PNSC to evolve into a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable organisation aligned with international maritime benchmarks. Pakistan to lease ships for PNSC to curb $4bn forex drain As per the statement, the government plans a phased renewal and expansion of PNSC's ageing fleet to enhance cargo capacity, fuel efficiency, and compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, including those governing carbon emissions and ballast water management. The minister proposed deepening collaboration between PNSC, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, and local industries for the domestic construction of modern cargo vessels, oil tankers, and container carriers. To fund the modernisation efforts, the plan advocates leveraging public-private partnerships, maritime leasing models, and tapping into global green shipping funds. The minister also underscored the need for digital transformation in maritime operations. This includes the adoption of platforms such as Pakistan Single Window (PSW), Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS), blockchain-based documentation, e-logistics solutions, and real-time cargo tracking systems—measures aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and security. Environmental sustainability remains central to the reform agenda.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PNSC eyes $700m freight earnings in 3 years
Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) aims to generate an estimated $700 million in freight earnings by expanding its fleet to 34 vessels over the next three years, according to a statement released on Friday. The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, outlining a new business strategy to revitalise the maritime and logistics sectors. The meeting was informed that PNSC currently handles around 11% of the country's cargo by volume and 4% by value. The national carrier is now targeting a substantial increase in its cargo share to 52% by volume and 43% by value, excluding containerised cargo, within three years. Presenting a forward-looking business plan, the minister described PNSC as central to enhancing Pakistan's maritime capabilities. He stressed the need for it to evolve into a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable entity aligned with international maritime standards. A key feature of the plan is the phased renewal and expansion of PNSC's aging fleet to boost cargo capacity, improve fuel efficiency, and ensure compliance with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards, including regulations on carbon emissions and ballast water management. To promote self-reliance, the minister proposed stronger collaboration between PNSC, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, and local industries to enable domestic construction of modern cargo ships, oil tankers, and container vessels. This initiative is expected to generate skilled employment, strengthen local supply chains, and revive Pakistan's shipbuilding sector. The expansion plan also recommends leveraging public-private partnerships, maritime leasing models, and international green shipping funds to support modernisation without burdening the national budget. Digital transformation was highlighted as another key priority. The plan includes adoption of the Pakistan Single Window (PSW), Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS), blockchain-based documentation, e-logistics solutions, and real-time cargo tracking to improve transparency and operational efficiency. Environmental sustainability is central to the agenda, with PNSC set to adopt cleaner fuels, retrofit vessels for energy efficiency, and align with global decarbonisation goals. Chaudhry reaffirmed PNSC's strategic role in securing maritime sovereignty, economic stability, and resilient supply chains amid global uncertainty.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SPPP unveils plan for new petroleum terminal, upgrades
GEORGE TOWN: The Northern Petroleum Terminal (NPT) will be developed under the Penang Port master plan currently being drawn up. Penang Port Commission (SPPP) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the NPT will be constructed at the port installation and will operate as a bulk petroleum storage facility designed to accommodate medium-range class tankers. He said the NPT will be built alongside the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) expansion, which involves 322.83 hectares of reclaimed land. 'The proposed development of these projects is in line with the Penang Port master plan developed by the SPPP,' he said in a statement today in conjunction with Transport Minister Anthony Loke's visit to Penang Port in Butterworth yesterday. Yeoh also said the development plan includes infrastructure upgrades at the Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) ferry terminal, which will be rejuvenated with a modern concept to enhance visitor comfort and satisfaction, ultimately improving operational productivity. He said the commercial area will have an open-air parking area, a sea-view observatory deck, a food and beverage centre, a garden bridge, and other commercial activities with the potential to attract local and international tourists. Additionally, he said the extension of the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) will allow Oasis-class cruise ships to dock simultaneously with a maximum capacity of 12,000 passengers. 'Furthermore, ferry services will also be improved with four new ferries and upgrades to the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) and PRTU terminals to improve public transport connectivity,' he added. Yeoh also said the SPPP has implemented the vessel traffic management system (VTMS), transforming manual traffic control into a more efficient shipping traffic control system to ensure a safer operating environment. Besides handling cargo imported and exported by sea, he said Penang Port also manages cargo via rail transport, with a 561-metre rail siding capacity at NBCT to handle up to 33 wagons at one time. He said the federal government has planned to extend the rail siding to 1,051 metres, which will allow 50 wagons to be handled at one time, a project currently being pursued in collaboration with various relevant parties. Loke was on a one-day working visit to Penang yesterday. He was briefed on the Penang Port development plan, visited the VTMS control tower, and toured the Penang Ferry Museum located at Tanjong City Marina.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Northern Petroleum Terminal to be built in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: The Northern Petroleum Terminal (NPT) will be developed under the Penang Port master plan currently being drawn up. Penang Port Commission (SPPP) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the NPT will be constructed at the port installation and will operate as a bulk petroleum storage facility designed to accommodate medium-range class tankers. He said the NPT will be built alongside the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) expansion, which involves 322.83 hectares of reclaimed land. 'The proposed development of these projects is in line with the Penang Port master plan developed by the SPPP,' he said in a statement today in conjunction with Transport Minister Anthony Loke's visit to Penang Port in Butterworth yesterday. Yeoh also said the development plan includes infrastructure upgrades at the Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) ferry terminal, which will be rejuvenated with a modern concept to enhance visitor comfort and satisfaction, ultimately improving operational productivity. He said the commercial area will have an open-air parking area, a sea-view observatory deck, a food and beverage centre, a garden bridge, and other commercial activities with the potential to attract local and international tourists. Additionally, he said the extension of the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) will allow Oasis-class cruise ships to dock simultaneously with a maximum capacity of 12,000 passengers. 'Furthermore, ferry services will also be improved with four new ferries and upgrades to the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) and PRTU terminals to improve public transport connectivity,' he added. Yeoh also said the SPPP has implemented the vessel traffic management system (VTMS), transforming manual traffic control into a more efficient shipping traffic control system to ensure a safer operating environment. Besides handling cargo imported and exported by sea, he said Penang Port also manages cargo via rail transport, with a 561-metre rail siding capacity at NBCT to handle up to 33 wagons at one time. He said the federal government has planned to extend the rail siding to 1,051 metres, which will allow 50 wagons to be handled at one time, a project currently being pursued in collaboration with various relevant parties. Loke was on a one-day working visit to Penang yesterday. He was briefed on the Penang Port development plan, visited the VTMS control tower, and toured the Penang Ferry Museum located at Tanjong City Marina.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang's ferry terminal to get a major glow-up
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Port Commission (PPC) is set to undertake a major upgrade of the Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) ferry terminal as part of broader efforts to modernise ferry services and improve public transport connectivity across the state. Located at the heart of George Town's ferry network, the PRTU terminal will be revitalised with a fresh, contemporary design aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and improving operational efficiency. PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said a request for proposal (RFP) had been issued. The upgraded terminal is expected to feature a range of new facilities, including open-air parking, a sea-view observatory deck, food and beverage outlets, a garden bridge, and other tourism-friendly commercial amenities. "The enhancement of PRTU is part of a wider initiative to improve Penang's ferry operations, which has already seen the introduction of four new ferries and upgrades to the Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal (PSAH) in Butterworth," he said. "The modernisation of PRTU is intended to strengthen integration between ferry services and other modes of public transport, delivering smoother connections for both locals and visitors. "This redevelopment is more than just an infrastructure project — it is a step towards improving comfort, accessibility, and the overall experience for ferry users, while also contributing to Penang's tourism economy," he told a press conference today. Yesterday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke conducted an official visit to Penang Port. Yeoh said that the new commercial components of the upgraded terminal are aimed at transforming PRTU into not only a transport hub but also a vibrant destination in its own right, attracting both domestic and international visitors. "The upgrade aligns with Penang Port's broader development strategy, which includes port expansion initiatives, green efforts such as solar energy integration, and digital transformation through systems like the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS)," he said. "The transformation of PRTU reflects Penang's growing emphasis on sustainable urban mobility and supports Malaysia's broader goals of strengthening its maritime and tourism sectors ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026." Penang Port has recently marked several milestones, including the enhancement of the Butterworth North Container Terminal (BNCT), which now handles up to 2.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with improved berth capacity and shorter ship waiting times. The Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) has also been extended to accommodate Oasis-class cruise ships, enabling simultaneous berthing for up to 12,000 passengers. Loke also reviewed the NBCT Expansion Master Plan, which spans 322.83ha through land reclamation. Another key infrastructure initiative on the horizon is the Northern Petroleum Terminal (NPT) project — a petroleum hub in the northern region designed for bulk storage and capable of handling Medium Range (MR) tanker vessels.
