ASEAN Ports Association Malaysia (MAPA)

Port Klang will have the capacity to handle almost 20 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers by 2016 as both Northport Malaysia Bhd and Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd are undergoing expansion plans.

Port Klang Authority Chairman Datuk Dr Teh Kim Poo said the authority was also in the midst of obtaining relevant approval to deepen the existing channels to 18 meters.

“This will make Port Klang competitive and a preferred choice to our customers,” he said at a logistics forum and exhibition here Monday.

Earlier, he said Northport would be able to handle 5.6 million TEUs this year after the conversion of Wharf 8A.

Northport was also in the process of expanding its break bulk and dry bulk handling facilities towards the North of Wharf 25.

Meanwhile, Wesport can handle 14 million TEUs after container terminal (CT) six is completed this year.

“Today, Port Klang handles almost 50 per cent of Malaysia’s sea-borne container trade,” Teh said, adding that, ports in the country handled about 20 million TEUs last year.

Port Klang has trade connections with over 120 countries worldwide and dealings with more than 500 ports throughout the globe, Teh added. BERNAMA

Port Klang, which is projected to handle 10.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) this year, may have a third port in the next five to six years to help meet the growing demand, Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said.

Currently the existing port operators, Northport and Westports, are still able to meet the demand and cater to the needs of shipping lines, he said.

“The third port is part of the Port Klang Development Master Plan to strengthen the world’s 12th busiest port in the future,” he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the ‘Asia – Engine for Growth’ logistics forum and exhibition here today.

Asked if there any plans to increase Port Klang’s tariff structure to be on par with neighbours’, Abdul Aziz said there is no tariff revision at the moment.

“We are trying to offer competitive rates to encourage more vessels to Malaysia,” he said.

The current handling charges for a 20-foot and a 40-foot container are RM230 and RM345 respectively, while transshipment costs RM140 for a 20-foot box and RM210 for a 40-foot box.

The deputy minister said the government is committed to continuing to develop and expand ports in the country including to deepen and widen the entrance to the Kuantan Port, which faces the South China Sea.

“We are going to provide an integrated multi-modal transport system, this can be seen in the efficient highway system we have in place and the double-tracking rail network that is currently being undertaken by the government,” he said.

Abdul Aziz said the government will continue to give strong support to realise Port Klang’s vision to remain the national load centre and be the region’s most preferred logistics hub.

“Both terminals at Port Klang have purchased hybrid equipment in line with the government’s green technology initiative to enhance productivity and efficiency as well as to promote a green environment,” he said.

Port Klang, the premier container port in Malaysia, handled over 10 million TEUs last year.BERNAMA