Rayong port to expand on 1,000-rai plot

Rayong port to expand on 1,000-rai plot

The government has provided a reclaimed land plot of 1,000 rai to expand the third phase of Rayong's Map Ta Phut port with an investment worth 11 billion baht.

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is in charge of the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and plans to announce terms of reference in June for private firms interested in joining the expansion project under the public-private partnership scheme.

The IEAT expects to sign a contract this November, with third phase operations projected to begin in 2024.

IEAT Veerapong Chaiperm said the deep-sea port at Map Ta Phut is positioned to support future expansion under the government's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme.

"This port will serve imports and exports at this industrial estate as well as other industrial parks in the EEC provinces of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong," he said.

Mr Veerapong said the government will conduct land reclamation, dredge up watercourses and construct embankments.

Another project comprises two wharves for liquid goods and three wharves for liquefied natural gas. The IEAT will allocate 400 rai for five wharves and provide another 150-rai wharf for service cargo and containers.

Map Ta Phut port has 32 wharves with 12 operators. The port has had a compound average growth rate for transferred goods of 5.3% over the past decade.

Last year, over 7,000 ships docked at the port, with more than 44.7 million tonnes of goods being transferred.

The port is also the largest petrochemical hub in Southeast Asia.

Mr Veerapong said the third phase has attracted PTT Group to invest in a liquid chemical tank farm, LNG terminal and liquefied petroleum gas storage tank on a 200-rai plot.

"Many investors, both local and foreign companies, are interested in the port thanks to the EEC project, creating future opportunities for the country and industrial sector," he said.

Recently, the government announced 168 infrastructure development projects worth 988 billion baht.

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