"Sanphet" Visited Laem Chabang Port, ordering efforts to resolve traffic congestion and container backlog by enforcing a 100% truck queue reservation system, while accelerating Phase 3 to push toward a Smart Port and upgrade Thai logistics.
Mr. Sanphet Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, stated after chairing a management and development monitoring meeting at Laem Chabang Port (LCP) under the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) that this visit aimed to monitor the overall management of Laem Chabang Port, particularly addressing traffic congestion inside and outside the port, enhancing service efficiency, tracking progress of Phase 3 development, and managing concession contracts transparently and effectively for maximum national benefit.
Inspections revealed that traffic jams inside Laem Chabang Port stem from multiple factors, including the volume of trucks arriving simultaneously, container management, shipping schedules, and cargo inspection and release processes.
Mr. Sanphet said he instructed the port authority to urgently improve traffic management with key measures including:
Implementing a 100% mandatory truck queue reservation system to stagger container pickup and delivery times.
Developing a Traffic Management system to monitor and manage truck flow.
Accelerating road repairs and improvements within the port, and adjusting gate opening hours to match traffic volumes.
Additionally, he assigned integration with related agencies such as Customs Department, Department of Highways, Police, and operators to systematically plan traffic, discuss extending customs officers' working hours, and permit temporary off-dock storage of inbound containers to enhance flexibility.
Mr. Sanphet further stated that the meeting also discussed restructuring port charges, especially container storage fees, to align with appropriate storage durations, encouraging faster cargo removal to reduce container backlog and improve port space utilization. This process will carefully consider impacts on operators and comply fully with legal procedures.
Regarding the Phase 3 development project, a major national infrastructure effort, current progress is as follows:
Contract 1 (marine construction) is 98.80% complete.
Contract 2 (buildings, berths, and utilities) is 24.13% complete.
Contracts 3 and 4 (rail system and machinery technology) are in the procurement process.
On the engineering dispute concerning the relative density specification of underwater fill materials at berth F, a joint investment contract issue, Mr. Sanphet said the Ministry of Transport has directed the Port Authority of Thailand to coordinate with the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) as a neutral technical body to review and provide impartial engineering recommendations, before proceeding with contract and legal considerations, prioritizing academic standards, transparency, and national interest.
"The Ministry of Transport will advance the full-scale upgrade of Laem Chabang Port into a Smart Port alongside accelerating Phase 3 development by applying automation and modern technologies for management, to enhance service efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen Thailand's long-term competitiveness, ensuring all actions prioritize the nation’s and people's best interests," Mr. Sanphet concluded.
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