ASEAN Ports Association Malaysia (MAPA)

CMA CGM’s first dedicated On Dock Depot (ODD) in Asia officially opened recently at Westports in Port Klang.

The ODD facility, located at CT5, is aimed at providing good customer service to the French liner’s customers, especially in the local market which has grown tremendously this year.

Witnessing the milestone event were Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam, executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam and CMA CGM ANL Malaysia managing director Simon Whitelaw as well as representatives from the local CMA CGM office and Westports.

Speaking at the opening, Whitelaw said plans for the ODD facility were looked into for sometime as a means to support its growing domestic business.

He said the ODD would provide fast turnaround of empties, quick delivery and better quality boxes.

“The ODD facility would provide another strategic base for our customers at Westports to help meet the growing demand generated by ever increasing levels of trade. Besides providing cleaning and repairs of empties, we also provide free inspection,” he added.

He also pointed out that the ODD, which has access to the Free Zone and with a current capacity of 12,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), has the potential to become a regional hub.

CMA CGM, the world’s third largest shipping line, is Westports’ number one customer.

By: btimes.com.my

PORT operator Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd and its executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam each walked away with an award this year at the Brand Laureate Awards held in Kuala Lumpur on March 31.

Westports won the award for the Best Brand in Logistics – Ports while Gnanalingam won the award for Brand Personality.

Presented by the Asia-Pacific Brands Foundation, the Brand Personality is equivalent to the Grammy Award for Branding.

The award was presented by former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In a statement issued last week, Gnanalingam attributed the two awards to his staff who “have continued to innovate and provided the best services to our customers”.

He said winning the awards was further proof of the port’s capabilities and a testament to its quality of work.

“Westports was founded around innovation and the pursuit of excellence, and those core values have continued to be at the heart of everything we do,” he added.

By: btimes.com.my

PETALING JAYA: A number of port operators in the country have reported higher throughput volume for March but are cautious about volume going forward as the signs of recovery are still weak.

According to them, imports and exports as measured by twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were up for March while transhipments – the shipment of goods to an intermediate destination before moving to another destination – were also up.

Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam had noted earlier in a commentary that in March, Westports’ total volume, including imports, exports and transhipments, was up 10% compared with the previous three months.

He said the immediate question that came to mind was whether these were signs of recovery or if this was due to inventory corrections after managers cancelled their orders between October and December last year.

“As such, between April and June, we’ll begin to notice that the world will not only reinstate its inventory levels but also increase its orders simply because life must go on,” Gnanalingam said.

Captain Ismail Hashim, chief executive officer of Port of Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd, which operates the number one transhipment port in the country, said volume grew 23% to 469,000 TEUs for March compared with February.

He said it was tricky to accurately predict the underlying reasons behind the recent increase in volume. “Whether the increase is sustainable over the longer term remains to be seen,” Ismail told StarBiz in an e-mail reply.

He said if the recent upturn was due to restocking of manufacturers’ orders as a result of them halting production abruptly earlier on when the crisis first started then the spike in volume could be “just a temporary pattern.”

Penang Port Sdn Bhd general manager Obaid Mansor said the Butterworth container terminal saw a bottoming in January when throughput was 30% lower than October 2008.

“The upturn in business was really registered in the export transhipment trade provided by our industrial hinterland,” he said, adding that a combination of improved demand for manufactured products, re-stocking, trade credit availability and demand from China and India could be the factors that contributed to an improvement in volume.

By FINTAN NG

“The success of Westport is a true reflection of the great team effort put forth by the workforce that we have today” enthuses Westports Malaysia’s executive Chairman, Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam.

Making a reference to The Taj Mahal, the Executive Chairman says, ”Many people assume that this magnificent monument was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan, but not many realize the monument has been brought to form by the pool of highly skilled craftsmen and dedicated workers. That is why I believe that if Westports has carved a name for itself in the international port arena, then it is solely because of the energy that is unleashed by the workers who have relentless worked towards a common goal of positioning Westports Malaysia as a gateway and transshipment hub”.

In return, the management has offered excellent career advancement opportunity and developed an enriching company culture that provides both professional and personal rewards. Westports unique company culture has been the driving force in attracting and retaining some of the brightest and most dedicated professionals in its pool of workforce.

In its efforts to boost staff development and job satisfaction, various training programs have been designed. Besides in-house trainings, staff is sent for overseas port visits such as to Hong King International Terminals, Le Harve and Felixstowe. These efforts have, as a matter of fact, kept staff motivation high and in turn increased efficiency and productivity of the port.

Aside from investing in a productive and committed workforce, the port has also invested heavily in the latest terminal equipment and introduced new work practices that have resulted in the port’s improved efficiency and throughput. The most recent accomplishments for the port have been the clocking of 35 moves per hour on ship to shore productivity. Landside activity has also improved tremendously, with its hauliers turnaround time clocking an average of 14 minutes.

The timely expansion plan that has been carried out to cater for looming unprecedented boom in the industry is expected to further boost the port’s container volume. It has been projected with the completion of its latest expansion of CT (Container Terminal) 4 that consists of 600 meters wharf extension together with a 60 acres yard area, the port would have an additional capacity of 1 million TEUs. CT4 is equipped with world-class facilities and services, which will enable more vessels of the next generation to make Westports as its preferred port of call. With its latest acquisition of two new Super Post-Panamax Twin Lifters and its natural alongside draft of 15.5 meters, Westports will no doubt be able to meet the changing needs of the customers.

Westports was among the first port in Malaysia introduced and incorporate cutting-edge IT solutions in the national port business to enhance efficiency. Being a customer-oriented port, it is also the pioneer port in the country in setting up a Call Center. Well-known for its unconventional methods, Westports Malaysia has also made headlines with its unique “Garden Port”. Westports beautifully landscaped areas dotted with blossoms of myriad hues and cascading waterfalls add charm, beauty and tranquility, all of which aim to provide a better work environment for staff.

Westports plays a vital role in contributing to the success of Malaysia’s economy. To maintain this momentum, it continues to seek ways in which it could enhance its services and maintain its competitiveness, the secret of Westports success lies in its world-class terminal facilities, highly skilled workforce, and the successful collaborations and partnerships it has made with employees, customers and stakeholders. Westports Malaysia is set to perform exceptionally and achieve double-digit growth for many years to come.

By: Westports Malaysia Bhd.