The operation of Thilawa port will be begun in February 2019

The mixed-use Thilawa Port, with its 400 meter long terminal and necessary container handling equipment, will commence operations in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone in February 2019, according to JICA’s statement on December 14.  The Myanmar Port Authority, under the Ministry of Transport and Communications, is implementing the port using ¥23.4 billion loan (yen) from JICA under the contract signed between the Ministry Planning and Finance and JICA in 2013 and 2015.

The 40 year loan has an interest rate of 0.01 percent, with 10 years of grace period.

The Government started planning Thilawa port since 1996, appropriating 37 plots of land for the terminal, and managed to implement 10 of those plots. Then it invited tender applications from private investors for implementing the terminal on the remaining 27 lots.

Wilmar Jetty, implemented by Singapore based conglomerate Wilmar International Limited on land plot No. 20 and No. 21, has a 13-meter depth with 232 meters in length and is extended to 390 meters. It is expected to be completed in 2022.

JICA said in its statement that it will work with Myanmar Port Authority in extending Thilawa Jetty located on lot No. 25 and No. 26, which was built in 2015.

(Myanmar Business Today: https://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/thilawa-port-commence-operations-february )

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