Kicking off the development of Map Ta Phut Port Phase 3 to promote Thai energy security

        The Map Ta Phut Port Development Phase 3 Project is one of the key infrastructure projects of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The project aims to develop the berths to support the transportation of natural gas and liquid products in the petrochemical industry by giving private sector companies opportunities to participate in investment and apply their knowledge and expertise in innovation and technology in the operations for the country’s energy security.

Two phases of Map Ta Phut Industrial Port development have already been carried out:

• Phase 1: Construction of two berths for liquid products and a berth for general products. This phase was completed in February 1992;
• Phase 2: Dredging channels and maneuvering areas to be in accordance with the size and number of ships and to increase safety of navigation in the port. This phase was completed in April 1999.

        The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has reviewed the development master plan of Map Ta Phut Industrial Port and deemed it suitable for the changing environment and in line with the expansion of the customer group in the area. The Map Ta Phut Industrial Port Development Project, Phase 3, has been determined to increase the transport volume of natural gas and liquid products for the petrochemical industry by 16 million tons per year in the next 20 years. This project is divided into two stages, as follows:

• Stage 1: Investment in sea reclamation and channel dredging infrastructure;
• Stage 2: Investment in berths and warehouses or related businesses for liquid products.

The goals of the project development are as follows:

1)  To increase the loading capacity of natural gas and liquid cargoes at Map Ta Phut Port;

2)  To have more public ports available;

3)  To comply with the infrastructure operation plan within the EEC;

4)  To maintain national energy security.

        At present, the Map Ta Phut Industrial Port Development Project Phase 3 (Stage 1) is proceeding. The construction of the project is expected to be completed around 2024 and can be opened for service around 2026, which will create more employment and drive the economy and investment in the area.

        For the development of the project Phase 3 (Stage 2), which relates to an investment in the construction of a port for transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid products for the petrochemical industry, the construction is expected to start in 2023.