PAT awaits mega-projects' approval

Chalermchai Meekhumiam director-general of the PAT, said yesterday that the Bt2.8billion port project in Laem Chabang would improve the country’s water-transport system by linking it with other logistics systems.
The other project is a Bt2.5billion centre to support rail-based transport from Lat Krabang all the way to Laem Chabang Port.
A 3kilometre, dualtrack spur will be built between the dual track of the State Railway of Thailand at Laem Chabang Station to the centre, which will offload freight to the Laem Chabang deep-sea port.
Currently, when cargo arrives at the train station, trucks are needed to carry the cargo to the port.
The PAT board has approved the projects and the plan was submitted to the Transport Ministry to be proposed to the Cabinet. If approved next month, the projects can be kicked off immediately.
The PAT will invite private companies to be partners in the projects under concessions based on the Public-Private Joint Venture Act.
The authority will finance project development with its own cash flow, rather than bank loans. The projects are expected to be completed within two years of Cabinet approval.
The PAT expects to post revenue of Bt12 billion in the fiscal year that started in October, up from Bt11 billion in the previous year. It expects to earn a net profit of Bt3.5 billion, almost the same as last year.
The flood aftermath will not disrupt the port authority’s business, as the government and the private sector will invest heavily in restoration, which would bring shipping activities back to normal, Chalermchai said.