PSA Singapore Terminals (PSA) says that half the 26 berths of its Phases I and II of the Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT) are operational and another 13 berths will come on stream next year.

When completed, the Singapore terminal will boost PSA's total handling capacity to 35 million TEU. PSA has invested S$5 billion (US$3.31 billion) in developing the berths in the past decade.

Kuah Boon Wee, PSA chief executive for Southeast Asia and Singapore Terminals, said: "PSA Singapore Terminals is well poised for further growth generated by buoyant global container trade. Year-to-date, we have seen a 13.7 per cent increase in volumes to reach 17.8 million TEU for the first eight months of this year."

This comes as PSA recently awarded a contract to Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC) worth approximately S$400 million for new super post-Panamax quay cranes.

"This latest acquisition of new super post-Panamax quay cranes is part of our efforts to develop Pasir Panjang Terminal. Each super post-Panamax quay crane has an outreach of 22 container rows across. These cranes are also equipped with 40-foot tandem lift capability and custom-made to handle mega containerships with capacities in excess of 13,000 TEU."