Good infrastructure no longer S'pore advantage

JLennon

18 Aug 06, 15:00

Originally posted by BillyBong:
At the moment, the boeing 777-200ER is the longest-ranging plane in the air, having set a new record for the longest non-stop flight, from HK to London and they were running on the GE90-115 engines, with the highest lbs to thrust ratio available in the market.

HK to London only 12 hours. Why is that the longest non-stop flight? Already SG to London is about 14 hours.

chenc

19 Aug 06, 01:52

Originally posted by sbst275:
A mega transhipment hub like PSA can never be built overnight... Connectivity network took years to establish

True when Singapore used to try its best and work on its connectivity. But not now when all the global companies are rushing over to china and india to start business with them. These fast developing countries need not really work hard to establish a good network, what they wanted just found their way to them.

borgkilla

19 Aug 06, 01:59

I wonder what will happen if the Thai's finally get their act together and actually build the kra canal ( not sure of the spelling)
that would have a significant impact on SG

Atobe

19 Aug 06, 07:45

Whatever infrastructure that is built, the hardware that is put in place will need an efficient software to operate this hardware to a high standard of practical benefits.

Building the canal at the Istmus of Kra in Thailand has been a 329 year old dream - since first brought up by an intelligent Thai King to link the Gulf of Thailand on the East, with the Andaman Sea on the West.

Unfortunately, the construction will be mega dollar project that will only see benefit for the oil trade, and its delay was due to the inexpensive oil that did not provide any incentive to spend on this mega-dollar project.

However, with current oil prices soaring to levels not seen before in the last fifty years, there will be some serious rethinking from major beneficiaries for a shorter route that can accomodate larger vessels carrying oil - that is currently restricted in traffic volume by the narrow Malacca Straits.

The construction of this canal at the Isthmus of Kra will require a project time frame of at least forty yeras.

Can Thai Politics sustain a venture of this duration, and not stretch it further in time and in higher costs over-run ?

Even after the canal is built, will Thai efficiency and disciplined industriousness make the canal operation to be smooth, safe, and speedy for the super large tankers that will be envisaged to carry a larger volume of super-high priced oil ?

All these said, we will need to tone down our own smugness and find out the reason for Maersk returning to Singapore, having walked out of Singapore and after taking the major stake in Tanjong Pelapas Port in Johor.

qpicanto

19 Aug 06, 11:27

Originally posted by borgkilla:
I wonder what will happen if the Thai's finally get their act together and actually build the kra canal ( not sure of the spelling)
that would have a significant impact on SG

Thailand is a very strong competitor under Premier Thaksin. Lots of business acumen.

Gazelle

19 Aug 06, 18:01

Originally posted by JLennon:
HK to London only 12 hours. Why is that the longest non-stop flight? Already SG to London is about 14 hours.

Maybe he is referring to flying in the opposite direction.

sbst275

19 Aug 06, 21:23

So what if they're building the Kra Canal???

The South East Asia - Australia rts, it would mean 1 more vessel from each strings would be needed to be deployed to serve Laem Chabang

Another thing to wonder whether can it accommodate the ultra post panamex class vessels starting with the EMMA MAERSK that could carry 11,000 TEUs

Gazelle

20 Aug 06, 02:29

The only difference between now and 40 year ago is that Singaporeans in the past are fighters and modern singaporeans are whinnners.

Dogtor

20 Aug 06, 11:30

Originally posted by Gazelle:
The only difference between now and 40 year ago is that Singaporeans in the past are fighters and modern singaporeans are whinnners.

Now older Singaporeans are satisfied with their achievements but put in obstructionist policies to young Singaporean fighters - Old Singaporeans forget their luxuries are the new basics !!! New Singaporeans need a level playing ground, ie freedom and liberty from excessive taxation and controls in order to fight. Don't blind and tie our hands and tell us to fight.

qpicanto

20 Aug 06, 12:06

PTP records 2.24m TEU in first half-year
EYEFORTRANSPORT - August 11, 2006

PTP chief executive officer, En Harun Hj Johari, said the increase in container throughput was partly due to the integration of Maersk & P&O Nedlloyd, which has brought about new services at PTP, and the continuous growth by Evergreen Marine Corp. This has also resulted in an increase in PTPÂ’s global connectivity to 70 weekly services throughout the world.

Harun said that the increase in connectivity will further enhance PTPÂ’s position as a transhipment hub.

He said that development for phase 2 of the terminal expansion is ongoing and according to schedule. Berth 9 is currently being commissioned, whilst berth 10 will be ready by end of August 2006. The completion of berths 9 & 10 will increase PTPÂ’s annual handling capacity to 8 million TEU.

PTP has recently purchased eight super post panamax quay cranes, three of which are currently being commissioned and will be operational by end of the year; the remaining five are to be delivered in stages next year. PTPÂ’s crane productivity stands at average of 33 moves per hour, which is the highest in the region and way above the industry average.

According to Harun, development of PTPÂ’s free zone is also progressing well, and plans are currently in place to further develop PTPÂ’s Free Zone land in tandem with the demand shown by interested parties.

Harun remarked that shipping lines are already considering alternative routes because most ports in the world constantly face congestion and capacity constraints.

Harun pointed out that PTP has available excess capacity, and also has the capacity and ability to handle the new breed of 10,000+ TEU vessels.

sbst275

20 Aug 06, 16:35

As for PTP, they can go boast the capability of twin lifting 40ft TEUs

In reality, such might be impossible... Imagine a 30m long truck carrying tons of cargoes moving around the terminal, high torque is needed to power the truck, other than turning dist needed, the RTGs at the yard also needs to be twin lifting capabilities...

As I've said bef, feeder connectivity at PTP is very limited which are provided by MCC Tpt as well as 3rd party feeders for Chittagong - Straits Rts ...

As for the Kra Canal, which shipping line like Maersk to deploy 4 more vessels to serve the South East Asia - Australia Rt just to bypass Malaysia/ Singapore to use the Laem Chabang port?

The only thing is we can't just stay there and slack...

Gazelle

20 Aug 06, 20:52

Originally posted by Dogtor:
Now older Singaporeans are satisfied with their achievements but put in obstructionist policies to young Singaporean fighters - Old Singaporeans forget their luxuries are the new basics !!! New Singaporeans need a level playing ground, ie freedom and liberty from excessive taxation and controls in order to fight. Don't blind and tie our hands and tell us to fight.

may i know how much tax are you paying right now? AFAIK, Singapore tax rate is amoung the lowest in any developed nation.