Topic of the week: Port of Tanjung Pelepas Expands STS Crane Fleet to Boost ULCV Capacity
The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Malaysia’s premier transhipment hub, continues its aggressive infrastructure expansion with the arrival of three new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes from Sany Marine Heavy Industry. These additions mark a significant milestone in PTP’s long-term strategy to enhance its capacity for handling Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) and meet rising throughput demands across the Asia Pacific region.
The latest cranes, delivered under a February 2024 contract for six advanced STS units, have the capacity to handle vessels up to 24,000 TEU. Each crane boasts a 65 tonne safe working load (SWL), a 55.5 metre lifting height, and a 72 metre outreach, enabling PTP to efficiently manage the largest container ships in operation today. The first three units from the contract were commissioned in August and are already contributing to improved berth productivity.
This delivery is part of a broader investment program aimed at scaling up PTP's operational capabilities. In May 2024, the port signed a deal with ZPMC for five Super Post Panamax STS cranes, followed by an additional order with Sany for four more units in October 2024. Once all equipment is deployed, PTP’s STS fleet will total 58 cranes, a significant leap in capacity that positions the port to handle future growth in container volumes.
Beyond STS cranes, PTP is also investing in yard operations. In August 2025, the port received nine electric rubber-tyred gantry (eRTG) cranes from Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, part of a 48 unit order signed in late 2023. These cranes, which arrived ahead of schedule, follow an initial batch of four delivered in June 2025. The eRTGs support PTP’s sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in container handling.
PTP’s expansion comes amid strong demand from global shipping alliances, including the Gemini Cooperation, and reflects broader trends in the container shipping industry, notably the shift toward larger vessels and consolidated cargo flows. The port, a joint venture between Malaysia’s MMC Group and Netherlands-based APM Terminals, has a design capacity of 13 million TEU and became the first Malaysian port to surpass 12 million TEU in a calendar year in 2024. It continues to post record volumes in 2025.
Sea:
- Over the last two weeks, China/East Asia to North America West Coast spot rates have increased by 8.5% from $1,554/FEU to $1,687/FEU, according to Freightos data.
- China/East Asia to North America East Coast spot rates have fallen over the last two weeks, decreasing by 5.7% to $3,071/FEU.
- Global container spot prices have risen over the last two weeks, and are now sitting at $1,662/FEU, a 0.18% increase over the last two weeks and a 49.6% decrease from spot rates this time in 2024, according to the Freightos Baltic Index (FBX)
Air:
- Global Air Freight spot rates currently sit at $2.35, as rates continue to fluctuate according to the Freightos Air Freight Index (FAX)
- Europe to Northern America spot rates currently sit at $1.78 (100-3000 kg), says FAX, increasing by 4.09%.
- Europe to Asia, Greater China spot rates currently sit at $1.17 (100-3000 kg), says FAX, remaining unchanged.
