Hutchison Ports has officially opened Terminal D at Laem Chabang Port, the most advanced deep-sea container terminal in Thailand, following the completion of its phase of development, according to a statement.
The operator says it will invest US$600 million in Terminal D and that, upon completion, it will improve the port’s operational efficiency and productivity by approximately 40%, and herald a new era for Thailand as a global shipping hub.
Furthermore, it will be one of the world’s first container terminals to be fully equipped with remote control technology for all its quay cranes and yard side rubber-tired gantry cranes.
Credit: Hutchison Ports
Hutchison Ports has said Terminal D offers a combined total of 400 meters of berths, 3 of the world’s largest quay cranes and 10 supporting rubber-tired gantry cranes, which arrived on January 29, 2018.
A recent Port Technology technical paper looked at how to future-proof container terminals
When it is finished, Terminal D will operate a total of 1,700 meters of berth, with 17 quay cranes and 43 remote controlled rubber-tired gantry cranes, which will add an additional 3.5 million TEU to the port’s annual traffic.
In November last year, Hutchison Ports welcomed the largest ever container vessel to berth in Thailand by being the first terminal operator in the country to handle a container vessel in excess of 350 meters when the Ocean Network Express’ ONE COLUMBA called at Terminal D.
Speaking at Terminal D’s grand opening ceremony at Laem Chabang, 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.”
Developing Terminal D is the latest in a series of innovative investments made by Hutchison Ports. On January 9, 2019, it unveiled a new operator alliance in order to improve the fortunes of the Port of Hong Kong.