Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced it will put up a new barge terminal operation in Bangkok, Thailand in anticipation of increased demand for barge transport to and from Laem Chabang port.
The announcement comes as the carrier signed a joint venture agreement with SahaThai Terminal Co., Ltd., a container terminal operator in Thailand, to establish a new barge terminal operation.
The joint venture company, to be called Bangkok Barge Terminal Co., Ltd. (BBT), will have its head office in Bangkok.
The BBT-operated container barge terminal is slated to open in 2016, and will serve as a new gateway to Laem Chabang Port for customers who need cargo moved to and from the outlying areas of Bangkok.
MOL added it expects a rise in barge transportation demand around the port, located about 90 kilometers south, on account of the shallow depth of the Bangkok river.
“Laem Chabang port has become the main gateway port of Thailand with its capability to accommodate many liner services with larger container ships,” said MOL. “Consequently, container transport between Laem Chabang and the outskirts of Bangkok by land transport via truck and rail, as well as waterway transport via barges now (plays an important role).”
Barge transport is expected to see greater demand, since it offers the advantages of bigger capacity, increased safety, and being more environment friendly, it added.
On SahaThai, the company opened a container terminal on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok in 2007 that currently provides intra-Asia container services and barge services. In addition, the company provides logistics services including warehousing in Thailand.
