PAT developing Laem Chabang Port as a world-class facility
The third phase of development of Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi province is among important government-private joint investment projects under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development plan.
The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) has invested 47% in the 114-billion-baht project, while 53% is by the private sector. The development focuses on the F port with a concession period of five years.
Investment in the project has been divided into four parts:
Marine construction; construction of building, port, road and public utility systems; construction of railway system, and procurement and installation of machinery and equipment for moving cargo, as well as design and installation of an IT system for port management and central infrastructure.
PAT has signed the construction contract for the third phase development of Laem Chabang Port (Part 1), or marine construction, with CNNC Joint Venture.
The joint venture consists of NTL Marine Co, Nathalin Co and Zhonggang Construction Group Co (China). NTL Marine is a subsidiary of Thai marine logistics giant Prima Marine Plc.
PAT director-general Kriengkrai Chaisiriwongsuk said that the joint venture had already delivered the first and second reclaimed areas. "The third reclaimed area is expected to be delivered in June this year," he said.
He added that the project's F1 area would be delivered to a contracting private company by late 2025, while the project is expected to be completed in 2026.
Kriengkrai explained that in January this year, CNNC Joint Venture had made 19.51% progress in the development with 67 marine machinery and a work force of 520.
“The PAT has ordered the joint venture to summarise daily and weekly progress, implement a daily action plan, and report to the supervisor and working group for monitoring the project construction," he said.
He said this order was in line with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's operational policies given during the survey at Laem Chabang Port on November 4, 2023.
"The premier has urged the PAT to accelerate operations of the CNNC Joint Venture to meet the project's plan and contract management in a bid to boost confidence among investors," he added.
Once the development of Laem Chabang Port is completed, it would help boost the port's potential to support cargo from 11 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) to 18 million TEU, he said.
The port would be able to support more vehicles, from 2 million to 3 million annually, while it would help boost the proportion of Thailand's rail transport to 30% of total transport.
Moreover, automation would be applied to Laem Chabang Port's cargo management to promote the port as the gateway to trade and investment, which is part of Thailand's strategy to become a regional water transport hub, he added.
