BRIDGE AT THE CAUSEWAY

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Minister for Transport in view of Malaysia's announcement to build a bridge to replace the Causeway (i) what will be the extent of the impact on our own seaport and (ii) what are the plans and strategies to cushion such an impact.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Malaysia has announced plans to replace half the Causeway with a bridge. The bridge will allow only small barges to connect Pasir Gudang port to Port of Tanjung Pelepas. However, it will still take slightly longer to sail from Pasir Gudang port to Port of Tanjung Pelepas via the Johor Strait, as compared to sailing to PSA. Hence, the impact of the new bridge on PSA is not expected to be significant.

Shipping lines that ship containers out of Pasir Gudang through PSA, instead of Port of Tanjung Pelepas, do so in order to enjoy PSA's excellent connectivity. Some 200 shipping lines connect PSA to 600 ports in 120 countries. PSA will maintain and expand upon this superior connectivity to ensure the continued competitiveness of our port.