Malaysia's Principal Port

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Port Klang is situated on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 40 km from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.Its proximity to the greater Klang Valley - the commercial and industrial hub of the country as well as the country's most populous region ensures that the port plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the country. Based on a Government directive in 1993, Port Klang is currently being developed as the National Load Centre and eventually a hub for the region.

With a number of load centring and hubbing strategies pursued since 1993, the facilities and services in Port Klang are now synonymous to those of World class ports. The port has trade connections with over 120 countries and dealings with more than 500 ports around the world. Its ideal geographical location makes it the first port of call for ships on the eastbound leg and the last port of call on the westbound leg of the Far East-Europe trade route.


Consist of 3 major ports :-

1 - Westport
2 - Northport
3 - Southport

1.Westport

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Location Pulau Indah = Westport
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http://ssic.com.my/image/pulau_indah.jpg

Total Land Area : 1450 acres

Length : 11 km (when fully developed)

Terminal Capacity - 6 million TEUs p.a.
- 4 Container Yards (220 acres)

CFS - 200,000 sq.ft

Distripark 1 - 500,000 sq.ft
- 2 million sq.ft available

Distripark 2 - 200,000 sq.ft

Warehouses - 230,000 sq ft (Break Bulk)
- 120,000 sq.ft (Dry Bulk)


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Westport handles world largest vessels

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11 km Linear Berth(when fully developed)

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Terminal Capacity : 3 million TEUs p.a.

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24 x 7 , 365 Days Per Year Operations

I know that the Port Klang Free Zone is operated by JAFZA a sister company of Dubai Port World but is the port itself operated by DP World?

May 04, 2006 22:32 PM
Port Klang Courts German Investors

By Manik Mehta

FRANKFURT, May 4 (Bernama) -- Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) is wooing German investors and highlighting to them the business opportunities available to them at the seaport.

At a seminar themed "Business Meeting on Business Opportunities in Malaysia's Leading Seaport" here, PKFZ managing director, Noel Gulliver, said the move was part of the efforts by the Government and Port Klang to intensify trade relations between Germany and Malaysia.

"PKFZ's task is to promote trade through the port and to attract production for transit, re-export, regional distribution centres and international procurement centres.

On the advantages of using the port, Gulliver said Port Klang's strategic location was ideal for users to capitalise on both the international and domestic markets.

"Port Klang's two terminals, Northport and Westport, are world class terminals equipped with state-of-the-art port facilities and infrastructure to handle any kind of cargo," he said.

Azizul Annuar, the assistant general manager (sales and marketing) of the PKFZ, said the PKFZ has been divided into eight precincts, each of which is earmarked for a specific industry.

Annuar said investors have the option to build their own facility or lease one or more of the facilities which are available here.

"Port Klang Free Zone is a complete one-stop centre that will be fully- equipped with a vast range of facilities and amenities," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Westports aims to be logistics enhancer for halal industry

May 9 2006

AS KUALA LUMPUR plays host to the inaugural World Halal Forum, which began yesterday and the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) beginning tomorrow, Westports Malaysia is enthusiastic and excited over the developments taking place in the halal industry.

The stage is now set for Malaysia to become a global halal hub, using its edge over other Muslim nations in trading, logistics, Islamic banking and halal certification.

Westports, the country's leading and world-class seaport, will play the role of logistics enhancer due to its location in the vicinity of the Selangor Halal Hub and the development of the halal hub currently taking shape at the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

Both of these facilities, located on Pulau Indah, home to Westports, marks a significant development in making the country a centre for the manufacturing and exporting of halal products.

Indeed, Westports is ready to play its role as the logistics enhancer.

The port has begun its promotional efforts by wooing potential investors from China to come to Port Klang. At its recent shipping mission to Shanghai and Shenzhen, Westports discovered how excited the Chinese were about the developments taking place in Port Klang.

The halal hub at PKFZ, coupled with the impressive productivity rate of Westports, has impressed the Chinese business fraternity.

Chinese Muslims regard the development of the halal hub at PKFZ and Westports as the launching pad for their food products. The growth potential of the halal food market is huge and the Chinese are seeking opportunities to manufacture such products and penetrate countries that they have been unable to enter for a long time.

The World Halal Forum is expected to determine the direction of the world halal industry and will be an eye opener for the world.

Malaysia, as one of the biggest trading nations in the Muslim world, is widely recognised and acknowledged for its certification standard for halal food. Its halal standard (MS 1500:2004) meets both the requirements of the Muslim community and the international health and safety standards.

Malaysia's strategic role as chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement, the country's recognised leadership in the development of the global halal market and the Prime Minister's personal commitment to the Malaysian halal industry as well as the Government's commitment to the halal industry in the Ninth Malaysia Plan speak well of the future of this booming sector.

All these factors will certainly propel and heighten business activities not only at Port Klang but also at other parts of the country.

Both Westports and PKFZ, with the cooperation and support of the Transport Ministry, will be organising more roadshows in the coming months to entice more shippers and investors to Port Klang, particularly to sell Port Klang halal hub's unique features and Westports' capacity.

May 22, 2006 13:58 PM

Westports Organising Trade And Logistics Mission To Dubai

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy will lead a Trade and Logistics Opportunities Mission to Dubai on June 12 to attract investors, manufacturers and shipping liners to be a part of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

The mission, organised by Westports Malaysia and supported by the Transport Ministry, also aimed to attract these investors, manufacturers and shipping liners to participate in Malaysia's Halal initiatives in Port Klang and other parts of the country.

In a statement here Monday Westports said that among the possible Halal industries that the delegation will explore are food products such as dairy, food and beverages, confectionary and culinary as well as non-food products like pharmaceuticals, herbal supplements, leather goods, and cosmetics and toiletries.

Chan said that the mission also aimed to enhance bilateral trade between Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He said that the mission would also hold business matching programmes and this would raise the profile of Malaysian participants to foreign investors.

"We intend to bring about 100 local businessmen to further enhance business collaboration between the private sectors of Malaysia and the UAE," he said in the statement.

Other members of the mission include Westport executive chairman, Tan Sri G.Gnanalingam, Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairman, Datuk Yap Pian Hon, PKA general manager, Datin Paduka O.C.Phang, and PKFZ managing director, Noel Gulliver William.

The recently held World Halal Forum here had paved the way for Malaysia in becoming a "Center Of Halal Excellence".

"We want to help Malaysian businessmen especially Bumiputera small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) realise the full extent of the market potential for Halal manufacturers, both food and non-food," Chan said.

He said that the Dubai mission is also geared towards growing the numbers and range of Halal-certified products on offer in the global market, coming off Malaysian Centers of Halal Excellence.

Exports to West Asia amounted to RM1.65 billion in March 2006, a surge of 51.7 percent from RM1.09 billion in February 2006.

All the markets in this region recorded increases in exports, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Yemen and Iran registering the most significant growth.

Chan is expected to address about 500 prominent shipping and maritime industry leaders and private sector players from the Halal trade during the one-day mission in Dubai.

Westports is also arranging for business-to-business matching to enable Malaysian businessmen especially Bumiputera SMEs to take full advantage of the gathering and to look for possible tie-ups or joint ventures with the help of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation.

The port company is also excited on the prospect of engaging more West Asian Main Line Operators to call at its port, as its current capacity is 6.0 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and has the capacity to handle up to 10 million TEUs within the next five years.

The recent surge in trade between Malaysia and West Asia is also exemplified by the strong growth of containers from West Asian Shipping Lines such as United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL) and Simatech Shipping (Simatech), who are all major customers of Westports.

-- BERNAMA

Port Klang Free Zone to be operational by year-end
From Chong Pooi Koon
June 13 2006
BusinessTimes


Owned by Port Klang Authority, the free zone is modelled after Jebel Ali Free
Zone in Dubai, home to over 5,000 companies from over 120 countries

DUBAI: THE Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), a 405ha international cargo distribution and consolidation centre adjacent to Westports, will be fully-operational by year-end, Transport Minister Datuk Sri Chan Kong Choy said.

Owned by Port Klang Authority, the free zone is modelled after Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, widely recognised as the most successful free zone in the world and home to over 5,000 companies from over 120 countries.

PKFZ is managed and marketed by Jafza International, the manager of Jebel Ali Free Zone.

PKFZ is the Government's second biggest investment in the port industry since the 1990s and has been developed as the country's first fully integrated free commercial and industrial zone.

"PKFZ will be the Jebel Ali Free Zone of Malaysia and even South-East Asia as it is the only one being designed and developed with the expertise of Jafza International," Chan said.

He said the Prime Minister was committed to formulating policies to ensure the most competitive business environment exists for PKFZ, and this means PKFZ will mirror the incentives and privileges of Jebel Ali as closely as possible.

The Government recognised that the success of Jebel Ali Free Trade Area is largely owed to the fact that the free zone authority has the autonomous power in all areas and aspects of operating the free zone, including all approvals concerning the investors' business operations.

He said the Government has agreed to explore the possibilities of replicating the system of the Jebel Ali One Stop Agency model for seamless trade facilitation.

"If we have to re-look at certain aspects of the current service delivery system within the Government, we will do it. If we have to amend the necessary laws to realise this objective, we will make this happen," Chan said.

"We are working in a whole new range of incentives and privileges to raise PKFZ to a level unseen before in Malaysia," the Minister said at a seminar here on logistics opportunities in Port Klang.

The seminar, jointly organised by PKFZ, Jafza International and Westports Malaysia, aims to attract investors, manufacturers and shipping lines in the United Arab Emirates to Port Klang and be part of the free zone.

This roadshow in Dubai also aims to attract investors from Jafza International who have plans to expand their businesses to PKFZ, Chan said.

Meanwhile, Westports executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam said Westports stands to gain by the soon-to-be opened PKFZ, which will help Port Klang to double container volume from 6 to 12 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in the next five years.This is in line with the Government's call for the growth of container throughput from 12 million TEUs to 18 million under the 9th Malaysia Plan.

Norway's Aker Kvaerner to invest RM175m
By Surin Murugiah, 12 Jun 2006 7:00 PM
THEEDGEDAILY


Norwegian oil and gas engineering group Aker Kvaerner's Malaysian subsidiary will invest RM175 million to develop its manufacturing centre at the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

Aker Kvaerner Sdn Bhd signed a 20-year lease for 13.2 hectares of open industrial land and a 10-year lease for 4.4 hectares. It also has an option, exercisable within two years, to lease another 10 hectares.

If the option were fully taken up, Aker Kvaerner would account for 27.6 hectares or more than 10% of the open industrial land available there.

In a statement on June 12, Aker Kvaerner Malaysia president Egil Martinusse said the manufacturing centre was pivotal in supporting the production of equipment for oil and gas exploration in the Asia-Pacific.

“We are satisfied by the fast-track approach of the PKFZ management team and construction work will begin immediately,” he said.

PKFZ managing director Noel Gulliver said the Norwegian multinational firm was the first investor in the free zone.

He said when the PKFZ was fully operational by year-end, it would have a one-stop agency to liaise with various regulatory bodies to centralise documentation and transactions.

THE expanding network of shipping connectivity at Northport in Port Klang received a major boost in the second quarter of this year with new services mounted by several major shipping lines.

Northport which received a total of 14 new services in the first five months period of 2007 further stretched its lead as the only Malaysian port with the most extensive shipping connectivity.

Maersk Line mounted eight of the above new services in April with three maiden calls to Europe/Mediterranean and five Regional Feeder Services, said Northport in a statement.

The first Maersk service that rolled out of Northport was inaugurated by, Maersk Driscoll that berthed at Northport in April under the Asia Europe East bound service (AE9) which links Port Klang (Northport), Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor and Laem Chabang in Thailand.

The inaugurating services by Maersk Driscoll was followed by the maiden voyage by Maersk Dieppe which called Northport on April 21 before sailing to Southampton via the Suez Canal.

The service connects Northport with four other ports in Europe namely Rotterdam, Bremenhaven, Cagliari and Salalah.

Its Asia/Europe 6 Westbound service connects Northport in Port Klang with Port Said, Cagliari, Genoa, Barcelona, Fos, Cagliari, Jebel Ali, Tanjung Pelepas, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung and Shanghai.

In strengthening its transhipment base at Northport and to support its mainline services, Maersk has started five regional loops.

Maersk feeder arm, MCC Transport has commenced two weekly sailings to Vietnam and also offers a weekly sailing to Belawan port in Indonesia and Laem Chabang.

Arising from the services mounted by Maersk, Northport is connected to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam and to all major seaports in Vietnam namely Hi Phong, Qui Nhon and Nhatrang. The southbound service of the North Vietnam One Service started with a maiden call by MCC Confidence. The southbound service links Port Klang, Penang, Tanjung Pelepas, Hi Phong, Qui Nhon, Nhatrang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas while the northbound includes Port Klang and Penang Port.

The increasing number of main line operators at Northport has also created opportunities for more dedicated and common feeder service operators to mount service at Northport.

Another Malaysian operator, Shin Yang Shipping started a Kota Kinabalu direct service from Northport. The service, which started with Danum52 has enhanced direct connectivity for shippers in Sabah.

During the same period, Star Navigation started a common feeder operation in the Port Klang- Penang-Pasir Gudang-Port of Tanjung Pelepas sector effective last month.

Consistent with the expanding trade with India and China, the introduction of the China India Express service by consortium members comprising of Wan Hai Line, Hapag-Lloyd and Evergreen was significant.

The consortium members also started the Chennai India Express service with the call by Bermudian Express at Northport last month.

July 3 2006


WESTPORTS Malaysia, at Port Klang, saw its container volume rise 26 per cent to 1.75 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in the first half of this year, thanks to increased trade as global economies improved and shipping companies carried more cargo to Europe from Asia.

Its container volume totalled 1.39 million TEUs in the first six months of last year.

Transshipment traffic made up about 60 per cent of the container traffic handled at the port, while indigenous cargo accounted for the balance.

“Based on results for the first half of this year, we remain on track to achieve a total container throughput of 3.5 million TEUs by the end of this year,” said a Westports spokesman.

Total container throughput last year was 2.91 million TEUs. The port aims to surpass the five-million-TEU mark by 2010.

The spokesman said the main growth in container throughput during the first half of this year came from increased trade as global economies improved and shipping companies carried more cargo to Europe from Asia.

Additional and new services from main line operators (MLOs), high productivity and vessel turnaround time also contributed to the increase in cargo volume.

“Three new shipping lines, namely Hyundai, Delmas, Maruba and MOL, have been calling at Westports since the beginning of this year. In addition, there were 13 new feeder services,” he said.

The port expects existing shipping lines to mount new services during the remaining six months of this year.

“In terms of productivity, we have registered a record gross crane productivity of 35 moves per hour, which is higher than the industry average of 25 crane moves per hour.

“In February, March and June this year, our operations team notched world records, the latest being 456 moves in a single hour of operation while working on a CMA-CGM vessel, Bizet,” he added.

Earlier, the Westports operation team had set a new world record hitting crane productivity with a speed of 421 moves per hour, and broke it in March with a new speed of 452 moves per hour.

On the outlook for the remaining year, the Westports spokesman said its challenges are mainly to improve productivity, acquire equipment, train a multi-skilled workforce and “to realize that on our own, we have no business but to depend largely on our shipping lines”.

Another challenge is to remain supply-driven to absorb any surge in volume.

“We have the infrastructure; we have the facilities and services. What we need is more feeder connections and more MLOs calling at Westports.

“The challenge is to continuously grow the volume by acquiring new customers and to woo more shipping lines to berth at our port,” the spokesman said.

Westports’ strength lies in high terminal productivity that is exhibited by its productivity and efficiency. Since its inception, the terminal operation performance has improved tremendously, productivity has escalated and recorded exponential growth.

“The port does not have any immediate plans for expansion. However, efforts are ongoing to increase volume and productivity,” he said.

Currently, Westports’ container- handling capacity is six million TEUs. It has the capacity to handle up to 10 million TEUs.

By Roziana Hamsawi
roziana@nstp.com.my

July 10 2006

THE world’s largest and most advanced container ship, the Xin Los Angeles, made its maiden call at Westports, Port Klang, yesterday.

The arrival of the 9,600-TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) vessel belonging to China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) is expected to boost Westports’s container volume by 20 to 25 per cent by the end of this year, said Westports executive chairman Tan Sri G Gnanalingam.

Westports is on track to achieve a total container throughput of 3.5 million TEUs this year, he said in Westports, Port Klang, yesterday after a visit by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Speaking to reporters earlier, Najib said Malaysia is grateful to see the confidence CSCL has in Westports.

“This should augur well for Westports in its strive to become more competitive and it will also boost trade between Malaysia and China,” he said.

CSCL is the world’s sixth largest container fleet and poised to become the fourth largest by 2009.

“I hope this call by Xin Los Angeles signals even stronger shipping ties between the two countries, more so than what we have achieved so far,” said Najib.

The Xin Los Angeles is 336.67m long and 45.6m wide and its deck is larger than that of two football pitches.

Zhang Jianhua, vice president of China Shipping Group, in his speech said Port Klang is the most important hub for CSCL in South-East Asia.

He said CSCL’s container throughput in Port Klang is rising steadily and is expected to increase by 20 per cent this year from last year’s 500,000 TEUs.

New Malaysian shipping zone ready to open next month
23 October 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - A new Malaysian shipping hub will open next month to help international companies operating in the Southeast Asian nation manufacture and export their products more efficiently, officials said Monday.

The Port Klang Free Zone in Malaysia's key western harbor district recently underwent successful power supply tests and is now finishing its landscaping and road construction, officials representing the zone said in a statement.

The 1,000-acre (400-hectare) site has been touted as Malaysia's first free zone to combine shipping logistics activities, such as labeling and packaging, with factories and industrial manufacturing operations.

Norwegian oil and gas engineering group Aker Kvaerner ASA is the first investor in the zone. It plans to invest up to 400 million ringgit (US$111 million; euro88 million) to build a manufacturing center to support oil and gas exploration in the Asia Pacific, the statement said.

"We have had many more successful discussions and are in the midst of finalizing agreements with potential tenants," Noel Gulliver, the zone's general manager, said in the statement.

Incentives for companies based in the hub -- modeled after Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone -- include tax exemptions and research incentives, it said.

The statement didn't reveal the exact date for the site's opening.

A 'sister' in Slovenia for Port Klang
November 7 2006
BusinessTimes


The potential for collaboration between ports in Slovenia and Malaysia is
huge, given that business between the two countries remains untapped,
says the Transport Minister

CARGO transhipment between Port of Koper and Port Klang is expected to reach some 100,000 boxes by 2010, following the signing of a sister port agreement between Slovenia and Malaysia yesterday.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the potential for collaboration between ports in Slovenia and Malaysia is huge, given that business between the two countries remains untapped.

For instance, he said, last year Port Klang only handled a total of 1,399 freightweight tonnes of cargo throughput from trade with Slovenia.

"Hence, the signing of the agreement is a significant step for Port Klang as it opens up closer ties with European ports," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of the agreement between Port Klang Authority (PKA) and Slovenia's Luka Koper in Putrajaya yesterday.

He said Slovenia is a key gateway for Malaysia to Eastern and Central Europe, while Slovenia can use Port Klang to penetrate the dynamic and growing South-East Asian market.

"The Port of Koper, positioned as the logistical shortcut to Eastern Europe, will provide Port Klang and Malaysia the platform to penetrate and explore new markets, especially landlocked countries such as Austria, Hungary and Croatia," Chan added.

Selangor

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Official Website (http://www.pka.gov.my/)

Port Klang (Malay: Pelabuhan Klang) is the main port of Malaysia, located in the district of Klang in the state of Selangor. It serves the Klang Valley, including the federal capital Kuala Lumpur and federal administrative capital Putrajaya. In 2004, it was the 7th busiest port in the world.

Port Klang was originally known as Port Swettenham when it was founded under British colonial rule in 1893, after the then British Resident High Commissioner for the Malay State, Sir Frank Swettenham. Official opening of the port was on September 15, 1901, which developed as a new port after a study found that it's coastal area, had a harbor with deep anchorage, free from dangers and very suitable for wharves. Its development was accelerated further with the extension of a railway line from Kuala Lumpur to the new port.

Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)

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Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)
Taken from http://www.pkfz.com/

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Gani’s views sought in PKFZ probe
Thursday August 6, 2009
By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN

PETALING JAYA: Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will be called before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Aug 12 to give his views on the controversial Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

PAC chairman Tan Sri Azmi Khalid said many legal issues had cropped up during the PAC hearing and Gani’s opinion could help to clear some questions.

“There are many things that we need to find out before we go to the next step. That is why we need the Attorney-General to attend the inquiry.

“Among them is the question of whether the four letters issued for the project by two former Transport Ministers should be considered as government guarantee letters or supporting letters.

“We are also calling up more people, and hopefully, we can complete the report before Parliament sits again in October,” he said yesterday.

During the course of the inquiry, former transport ministers Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy and Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik had told the PAC that the four letters were not guarantee letters and had no financial implication on the Government.

Dr Ling had issued the first letter on 2003 and the rest were issued by Chan in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Azmi said that among those who would be called up are Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zaharah Shaari, the Klang Port Authority board of directors and other government officials.

He added that the PAC would also call up Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

MISC Integrated Regional Logistics Hub
Source: http://www.misclogistics.com/
West Port (www.westportsmalaysia.com/) - Welcome To The Most Efficient e-Terminal

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Located in Pulau Indah, Selangor, the development of the MLH has been divided into 3 phases of which the completion of the final phase will result in the formation of a 90,000 square meters multi modular storage and processing facility. The first phase, scheduled to be completed in December 2006, will provide 24,000 square meters of warehouse space. Other available services are inventory management, haulage and distribution services, freight and customs management and a container yard. Other value added services include cold store, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), light assembly, Post Delivery Inspection, yard management, sterilisation and fumigation.

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New MISC container service plan
Published: 2009/08/19

MISC Bhd, the world’s single largest owner and operator of liquefied natural gas tankers, plans to launch a new intra-Asia container service at the end of this year.

The proposed service will complement its current Halal Express Service, which links the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East.

MISC said it will deploy six vessels capable of loading 4,500 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) for this proposed service, making calls at strategic ports within Asia.

MISC, VTTI in oil terminal pact
Published: 2009/08/19

MISC International (L) Ltd today entered into a joint venture agreement with VTTI Tanjung Bin S.A. to set up Asia Tank Terminal Ltd (ATTL) with the purpose of constructing, commissioning and operating an oil terminal with a base capacity of 741,200 cubic metre in Tanjung Bin, Johor.

MISC International is a subsidiary of MISC Bhd while VTTI Tanjung Bin is a subsidiary of Vitol Tank Terminals International B.V. (VTTI) -- a global independent terminal group with an existing total capacity of 5.5 million cubic metres located across the world’s major oil trading centres in four continents and part of leading international energy trading group Vitol.

MISC said in a statement that MISC International would take up 50 percent stake in ATTL, to be incorporated in Bermuda, while VTTI Tanjung Bin the other half.

Upon completion of the incorporation and share subscription exercise, ATTL would own the entire interest in ATT Tanjung Bin Sdn Bhd (ATB), and through it, design, construct and operate the oil terminal, it said.

ATB, currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of VTTI, had executed a 30-year land lease agreement with Seaport Worldwide Sdn Bhd in September 2008 for the lease of a 50-hectare site at the Tanjung Bin Petroleum and Maritime Industry Centre.

The ATB oil terminal, subject to receiving the necessary approvals by the relevant Malaysian regulatory authorities, was anticipated to commence operations in April 2012, MISC said.

It said the partnership with VTTI in this venture would enhance the company’s service offerings and support its strategy to expand its business across the value chain by providing integrated services in the form of logistics support together with its core shipping operations.

Vitol Asia Pte Ltd would be the key customer at the ATB oil terminal, it said. - Bernama

Pact to build Tanjung Bin oil terminal
Published: 2009/08/20

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/vtol/pix_topleft

MISC Bhd and Vitol Tank Terminals International will build the Johor oil terminal which is expected to begin operations in April 2012

MISC Bhd (3816) the world's single largest owner and operator of liquefied natural gas tankers, signed a pact yesterday to jointly build an oil terminal at Tanjung Bin, Johor with Vitol Tank Terminals International BV (VTTI).

The oil terminal, which is still subject to approval by relevant Malaysian regulatory authorities, is expected to start operations in April 2012, with a base capacity of 741,200 cu m.

Under the deal, MISC's subsidiary, MISC International (L) Ltd and VTTI Tanjung Bin SA (VTTI SPV), will incorporate an equally-owned joint-venture company called Asia Tank Terminal Ltd (ATTL) in Bermuda to build, commission and operate the oil terminal.

VTTI SPV is a subsidiary of VTTI, which is part of the leading international energy trading group, tol.
Upon completion of the incorporation and share subscription exercise, ATTL will wholly own ATT Tanjung Bin Sdn Bhd (ATB), which holds a 30-year land lease agreement with Seaport Worldwide Sdn Bhd of a 50ha site at the Tanjung Bin petroleum and maritime industry centre.

"Through it (ATB), (ATTL will) design, construct and operate the oil terminal," MISC said in a statement yesterday.

Vitol Asia Pte Ltd will be the key customer at the ATB oil terminal.

MISC said ATTL will enhance the company's service offerings and support its strategy to expand its business across the value chain by providing integrated services in the form of logistics support together with its core shipping operations.

The signing of the joint- venture agreement took place in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Signing on behalf of MISC was its president and chief executive officer Amir Hamzah Azizan, while VTTI was represented by its chief executive officer Rob Nijst.

Govt must act fast to make PKFZ profitable: Developer
By Joseph Sipalan
Published: 2009/08/21

THE government must act fast if it wants to make the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) a profitable venture, says the project's turnkey developer.

Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd said of late, much attention has been given to the PKFZ scandal that nothing is being done to move the project forward.

Its deputy chief executive officer Datuk Faizal Abdullah said today, most of the buildings and facilities are already in place, but only some 20 per cent are occupied.

"The facilities will deteriorate quickly if they're left empty," he told a press conference in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

Faizal said Port Klang Authority (PKA), which owns PKFZ, needs to do more to further attract foreign investors to the free zone and bring in revenue for its coffers and contribute to the national economy.

"So much energy has been channelled into the dispute that PKA has lost focus in promoting and turning PKFZ into a success.

"We are not saying 'drop the case', but we need to re-emphasise that this (selling of PKFZ) is more critical. We can't just scrap it. We are not selling something that is not there. We've already built up the facilities," he said.

As of May this year, PKFZ signed up 56 companies with a combined investment of RM980 million. This translates into an occupancy of 18 per cent of the open land, 18 per cent of its light industrial units and 19 per cent of its office space.

The figures lag behind the project's initial target of becoming operationally self-sustaining by 2010 and achieving an occupancy rate of 80 per cent by 2012.

Faizal said the non-stop coverage of the PKFZ issue, where the company is accused of overcharging the PKA for land purchase and construction costs, has only driven potential investors away.

"This is a contractual dispute. All that we are requesting is bring the dispute to court. Let the court make its decision and the parties abide by it instead of having it on trial in the public domain," he said.

Project to deepen Port Klang’s south channel
Monday August 17, 2009

PETALING JAYA: The world’s largest trailing suction hopper dredger arrived in Port Klang last week to carry out dredging works to deepen the port’s south channel, with works expected to be completed by the year-end.

The dredging contract was awarded by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to Integrated Marine Works Sdn Bhd.

“It entails a work specification of deepening the south entrance to Port Klang from the current depth of 15.5m to 16.5m. The width of the channel is also being widened from 365m to 500m. This will enable the largest superpost panamax container vessels of drafts exceeding15m to pass one another safely while transiting the 8km channel,” PKA said in a statement.

PKA said the project would involve dredged volume of approximately 6.2 million cu m.

Integrated Marine Works has assured that the project would be completed before the end of the year.

Port Klang Assemblyman's Position To Be Known After Hari Raya
September 02, 2009 18:19 PM

SHAH ALAM, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s Port Klang state assemblyman, Badrul Hisham Abdullah's fate will be known after Hari Raya, said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

He said Badrul Hisham had been served with a show cause letter and needed to respond in 14 days on his inability to serve effectively as a state assemblyman.

Abdul Khalid declined to answer when asked if Badrul Hisham would have disciplinary action taken against him or if he would be asked to vacate his seat.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a state executive council meeting here Wednesday, he said: "A decision will be made after taking into account a discussion between Badrul Hisham and state assembly speaker, Teng Chang Khim."

Abdul Khalid said Badrul Hisham was not well now and could not attend the breaking of fast programme where the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah broke fast with the people at a mosque in Pandamaran last week.

"Badrul still receives his salary and allowance eventhough he is helped by state assemblymen friends in his duties as an elected representative," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Dredging work of Port Klang's south channel to finish in Dec
Published: 2009/09/07

THE dredging of the south channel in Port Klang is expected to be completed in December this year.

The south channel, which will be 16.5m deep and 500m wide once completed, is now between 60 and 70 per cent done

"Initially, the plan was to deepen it to 17.5m but due to a constraint in funds, it is only being dredged to 16.5m from 15.5m, and widened to 500m from 365m," PKA assistant general manager Captain David R Padman said last Thursday.

He said the government was only able to allocate RM100 million for the dredging project.

The widening of the channel will enable the largest super post panamax container vessels of drafts exceeding 15m, to pass one another safely while transiting the 8km channel.

CMA CGM's first On Dock Depot in Asia opens at Westports
Published: 2009/08/31

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/wpo/pix_topright

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.

Westports box volume to grow by 5pc in next 10 years
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2009/09/22

WESTPORTS Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the operator of Westports in Port Klang, expects its container volume to grow by 5 per cent in the next 10 years, as it celebrates its 15th year in business.

"Container volume grew by 9 per cent in the last 10 years, with a jolt in 2008/2009. Looking at the current world economy, to have 5 per cent growth in the next 10 years is the best we can look forward to," Westports executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam told Business Times via an email interview.

Westports celebrated its 15th anniversary on September 10 2009.

Gnanalingam said he is confident that Westports will be able to meet its 4.5 million TEUs target by the end of this year.

"We are quite confident of sustaining this volume and of course will try to achieve 5 million TEUs by 2010," he added.

Gnanalingam also said in the last 15 years, Westports has not only managed to become among the top five ports in the world in terms of productivity, but assisted Port Klang in becoming the 15th largest port in the world, handling some 8 million TEUs (20-ft equivalent-units).

He said one thing ports can learn, after having to contend with the economic crisis, was that it needs to be prudent in terms of expansion capacity.

"However, we will continue to be supply driven and efficient to attract more shipping lines. As the 17th largest trading nation, we not only need efficient ports, but also more shipping lines to take our cargo."

MTUC asks Port Klang to reappoint workers’ representative
Published: Wednesday September 23, 2009 MYT 11:33:00 AM

PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has called on the Transport Ministry to appoint a workers’ representative on the Port Klang Authority (PKA) board to look after the interests of the 20,000 port workers.

MTUC vice-president A. Balasubramaniam told Bernama on Wednesday that there has been no workers’ representative on the board since June last year following a revamp.

He said the MTUC disagreed with the ministry’s assertion that the PKA board should comprise professionals, namely those who could contribute to the port operations.

“Workers’ contribution to the port’s operations is vital and they should be represented on the board,” Balasubramaniam, who is also secretary of the Union of Employees of Port Ancillary Services Supplies, said.

He said the workers had been represented on the board since 1964, except from 1986 to 1994.

“We hope the ministry will reconsider and reappoint a representative as soon as possible for the sake of maintaining industrial harmony and efficient functioning of the port services,” he added. -- Bernama

any news about southport (southpoint)?

Port Klang Authority working to diversify income stream
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2009/10/05

PORT Klang Authority (PKA) is working towards diversifying its income stream in an effort to bear the costs of running both Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) and its own operations.

"Of course, now we are currently self-sufficient, but with the PKFZ loan to the service, we will have to come up with more revenue streams to generate income," PKA general manager Kee Lian Yong told Business Times recently.

He was appointed in June to replace Lim Thean Shiang, who resigned earlier amid reports of a fallout with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat over the handling of the PKFZ controversy.

Lim was handpicked to take over the running of the port by the Transport Minister.

Kee, like Lim, was a member of the corporate sector, having headed listed companies such as Metroplex and Anglo-Eastern Plantations Plc.

He said the port authority is studying all options, but is mindful of its main role as trade facilitator.

"We believe there are a lot of opportunities. I would like to do more. As a man from the property sector, I can see that we have a lot of land here, and we have to look at how we can maximise the returns on that land," Lee said.

He said rather than just concentrating on growing its bottomline, the port authority has to also consider initiatives that will enable the industry to grow.

Kee declined to reveal the amount of cash that PKA has in its coffers, claiming that its cash reserves did not correctly reflect the financial health of the regulator, considering its huge debts, because of PKFZ.

In 2008, it was reported that PKA's main income comes from leasing of land under the port authority. The then general manager Datin O C Phang, had said that it made RM100 million per year.

Expenses on maintaining the port area, however, were said to come up to about RM80 million per year.

On his ambition for the port, Kee said he wants to create an equitable playing field for all players in the port industry.

"I don't want to sideline any party. In fact I hope that we can build a supply chain that benefits everybody, and also promote the growth of the port industry," Kee said.

Special task force set up to make PKFZ more competitive
2009/10/07

KUALA LUMPUR: The government set up the special task force to ensure steady progress of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) development project, Chief Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said today.

He said the team would also identify weaknesses in the management in implementing the project and recommend measures for improvement if necessary.

These would include disciplinary or legal measures if there were individuals involved in wrongdoing or criminal action, Mohd Sidek said.

"The team will also identify and recommend measures or incentives to make PKFZ more competitive," he said in a statement.

Mohd Sidek said the government had decided that the task force, headed by him, would from time to time and if needed, called on those involved to join the meetings to give explanations and views.

He said the government had agreed to the composition of the task force,
comprising Public Services Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Finance Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buan, Port Klang Authority general manager Kee Lian Yong, and Lin Associates Sdn Bhd chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri Dr Lin See Yan.

Also appointed were Skrine and Co senior partner Vinayak P. Pradhan, PriceWaterHouseCoopers Advisory Services managing director Chin Kwai Fatt, Malaysian Institute of Accountants president Abdul Rahim Abdul Hamid, and Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance president Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas.

The task force secretary is Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zakaria Bahari who will be assisted by the ministry''s deputy secretary-general (planning) Datuk Long See Wooi. - BERNAMA

PKFZ, Marseille-Fos Port sign alliance pact
Published: 2009/10/27

PORT Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Marseille-Fos Port (MFPA) to boost the strategic alliance between them.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the MOU was aimed at establishing a framework for the cooperation between PKFZ and MFPA, one of the largest ports in Europe, to promote the halal industry in Malaysia and France.

"The agreement aims to jointly explore and implement a coordinated marketing approach for the redistribution of halal products in Europe, Africa and Mediterannean territory and PKFZ will be carried through," he told reporters after officiating the Marseille Fos Port Authority Roadshow here today.

Earlier, he witnessed the signing of the MOU between PKFZ and MFPA. - Bernama

PKFZ sees 534% increase in TEUs
Written by Sharon Tan Friday, 30 October 2009 15:02

KUALA LUMPUR: Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) achieved an increase of 534% from January to September this year in containerised cargo, registering 36,170 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) as compared to 6,021 TEUs for the previous corresponding period in 2008.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat also said there was an increase in tonnage handling for the first nine months this year which saw a rise of 321% from 263,570 tonnes for the same period last year to 1.11 million tonnes.

"I am thankful that PKA and the PKFZ Sdn Bhd have put in enormous efforts over the past few months to turn PKFZ around.

"These statistics show my commitment to the PKFZ turnaround plan, which is some of the unfinished work that I have been talking about.

"With the recent signing of the MoU between PKFZ and Marseilles Fos Port authority, we are confident and hopeful that this will give PKFZ an additional boost," said Ong through his blog www.ongteekeat.net.

He added that the geographic advantage of Marseilles port would definitely serve as a very good distribution hub for halal and other products from PKFZ, which serves as a procurement hub for the Euro-Mediterranean and North African regions.

He also said the controversial PKFZ project received a morale boost when it was give accreditation from the London Metal Exchange four months ago.

PKFZ land price 67pc more than valued:PAC
Published: 2009/11/04

THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today reported that the cost of per sq ft of land for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project was RM41.76, which was 67 per cent higher than the RM25 fixed by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH).

The report said that if the land had been acquired in accordance to the Land Acquisition Act 1960, the government would have had to spend only RM442.13 million and saved RM645.87 million.

Besides that, the imposition of a 7.5 per cent annual interest rate on delayed payment for the land, before the signing of a sale and purchase agreement by the general manager of Port Klang Authority (PKA) Datin Paduka O.C Phang, had also resulted in a double charge for the government.

This is because when JPPH had fixed the land price at RM25 per sq ft, it had taken into account an interest payment of 7.5 per cent for the delayed payment for up to 15 years.

PAC also found that approval was not received from the government on the interest rate charge.

"This interest rate charge caused PKA to pay a land purchase cost of RM1.088 billion besides additional interest of RM730 million, bringing the total payment to RM1.818 billion," the report said.

Phang and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport had failed to heed instructions from the government and the Finance Ministry in acquiring the land for the PKFZ project, it further said.

Apart from that, a directive from the Treasury Secretary General, that the land for the project is acquired by way of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 and financed through allocation for the Transport Ministry and leased back to PKA later on, was also not followed.

PAC also found that Phang's action to sign a sale and purchase agreement including the development of an infrastructure worth RM1.088 billion was against the government's financial regulations as she had not received the approval from the Finance Ministry.

Phang's action was also not in line with the Port Authorities Act 1963 requirement for her to get prior approval from PKA.

It was also imperative for PKA to ensure that the developer of the project, Kuala Dimensi Sendirian Bhd (KDSB) had carried out all the infrastructure works as determined in the sale and purchase agreement before settling the land payments which will end in 2017.

The committee also found that the appointment of KDSB as the developer by PKA was not done in a proper manner as the Transport Ministry Secretary General and General Manager of PKA had failed to follow the instruction of the Finance Ministry on the matter.

KDSB was appointed as the project contractor by PKA via direct negotiations.

In June 2001, the Finance Ministry had ordered that the contract for the project's building works is given out through open tender and the cost of developing the project financed through the issuance of government guaranteed long term bonds.

The sale and purchase agreement signed by KDSB and PKA in November 2002 also had the condition that KDSB is appointed as the development contractor for PKFZ although approval from the Finance Ministry had not been obtained for exemption from the tender process.

According to the report, approval from the Finance Ministry would have been required to carry out due diligence to ascertain the financial capability and expertise of KDSB to carry out a project involving such a huge sum.

"The failure by Transport Ministry Secretary General and PKA General Manager to follow the instruction of the Finance Ministry and seek approval from the government on the appointment of KDSB as the project developer is an offence and legal action needs to be taken against them," the report said.- BERNAMA

Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)
From www.pka.gov.my/

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/07/11/09/01/4394051_428x222.JPG

Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)
Taken from http://www.pkfz.com/

http://www.pkfz.com/content/gallery/MainEntrance/fullsize/43_fs.jpg

http://www.pkfz.com/content/gallery/LOB/fullsize/57_fs.jpg

http://www.pkfz.com/content/gallery/LOB/fullsize/56_fs.jpg

Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)

http://www.myfuelgroup.com/image/production_clip_image002_0000.jpg

Westports' Gnanalingam Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
November 22, 2009 23:08 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Westports Malaysia Executive Chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam has received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Malay Chamber of Commerce.

He received the award from Second Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamed Hanadzlah, at the inaugural Malaysia Business Leadership Awards 2009, organized by the Chamber in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday 15th November 2009.

Present were prominent business and industry captains.

The award is a mark of honour and recognition toward the achievements acquired by Gnanalingam for his exemplary leadership skills in driving excellence within the port and logistics industry and for his perseverance to withstand the global economic turmoil.

According to the Chamber, "When one thinks of world class shipping and transport, with an eye for competitiveness and National pride, one name stands up above all. Tan Sri Gnanalingam has spent his life taking small things and making them very, very big."

The Chamber, in its description of Gnanalingam, pointed out that Westports today stands among the top 5 terminals in the world. "And yet, Gnanalingam has never resorted to outside labour markets for manpower.

Westports is operated by a fully Malaysian staff, 3,500 strong, with 72 per cent of them being bumiputras.

A strong patriotism runs through all members of the Westports team. This may explain why Westports is not only a leading port in South East Asia, but also regarded as one of the world's most productive ports," it said.

Of his award, Gnanalingam said, "This testifies to our belief at Westports that when we work together, we can achieve anything.

This award is due to the 3,500 staff, who are the backbone of Westports.

They inspire me, and collectively we work towards our dream of growing Westports into a top ten port in the world.

"It gives me great pleasure to know that efforts to change the face of the maritime and logistics industry are also appreciated and deemed important by reputable business organizations like the Malay Chamber of Commerce," he said.

Gnanalingam has always held a reputation for never being satisfied with the status quo or 'maintaining current standards'. He has always worked to find new and innovative methods, no matter what is required to get it done. It is this ingenuity and inventiveness that had always driven Westports and continues to drive it today.

Since 1994, Gnanalingam has been responsible for infusing a new dynamism into the port business, revolutionising the port industry with his innovative concepts like fast port, garden port and flexi port.

Westports today is a billion-dollar company, which handled nearly five million 20ft equivalent units last year.

Westports has huge influence on the development of the port industry in the region, establishing itself as one of the best ports and a benchmark for others to follow.

-- Bernama

The Port Klang Free Zone Complex at Westport
Pulau Indah, Selangor
http://www.westportsmalaysia.com/
West Port is one of three ports in Selangor that comprises Port Klang, Malaysia. The other two are Northport and Southpoint. Located on Pulau Indah in Klang, it was opened in 1995. It is the nation's leading private seaport.[citation needed] In H1 2008, it'd handled 2.45 million TEUs with a market share of 62% in Port Klang. It expected to reach 5 million TEUs by end of 2008.

Leased Office Buildings (LOBs)

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/07/17/06/48/4470048_800x498.JPG

- 512 units light industrial warehouses
- Exhibition Centre
- Office Blocks
- Main Entrance

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/5/29/nation/n_01portklangPKFZ.jpg

- Leased Office Buildings (LOBs)

http://www.pkfz.com/content/gallery/LOB/fullsize/69_fs.jpg

- Main Office & Business Hotel

http://www.pkfz.com/content/gallery/LOB/fullsize/72_fs.jpg

- Exhibition Centre

http://www.pkfz.com/content/gallery/ExibitionCentre/fullsize/27_fs.jpg

Taken from http://www.pkfz.com/

Westports staff show their mettle as mega containership makes maiden call
Published: 2009/11/30

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/colom/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph10/vessel30.jpg

One of the world's largest containership, the 13,300-TEU CMA CGM Christophe Colomb, made its maiden call at Westports on November 22.

The vessel represents the biggest to arrive at Port Klang to date.

Although it was an ad hoc call, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd said its operations staff were fully prepared to meet the challenge, recording a gross crane productivity of 37 moves per hour.

"The arrival of Christophe Colomb proves the CMA CGM group's confidence in the ability of Westports to handle mega-sized vessels. Our skillful workforce and state-of-the-art port facilities can handle the growing sizes of container vessels which are likely to make more calls at our port next year onwards," Westports executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam said in a statement yesterday.

"Christophe Colomb also proves CMA CGM's ability to move forward in the current economic context.

"This new giant is a strategic asset for the group (CMA CGM), while volume and freight rates on the Asia to Europe market are recovering. This modern vessel enables CMA CGM to meet its growing customer demand on this key market while ensuring economics of scale," Ruben added.

The 365.5-metre long, 51.2-metre wide eco-friendly vessel is fully equipped with the latest technology, designed to optimise hydrodynamics and maximise propulsion. Use of an electronically controlled engine meanwhile helps reduce oil consumption by 25 per cent, resulting in a 2 to 4 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, Christophe Colomb is equipped with a fast oil recovery system, which enables bunkers to be rapidly recovered at any time, hence significantly limiting the environmental consequences should there be an incident at sea.

The Christophe Colomb is part of the FAL 7, a European service operated jointly by CMA CGM and Maersk.

Asian AIM, BWT plan US$10m gold refinery in PKFZ
Published: 2009/12/30

PRIVATE funds Asian AIM Incubator Co Ltd (AAIC) and BWT Investments Ltd plan to set up a US$10 million (RM34.4 million) gold refinery in Malaysia's Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

"Malaysia is the ideal location for our first factory as it has liberal gold trading laws and investor-friendly fiscal framework.

"We're currently negotiating the rental agreement with Port Klang Authority. Contrary to what is said about the implementation of the PKFZ, we find the new facility offering an ideal setting for our refinery," AAIC group managing director Patrick Harvey told Business Times in a telephone interview yesterday.

Security will be crucial for the business and the refinery will need 24-hour surveillance. The investors will also need close cooperation from the customs and police.

AAIC's refinery may source for gold mined in Malaysia.

"But the bulk of our business is to bring in raw gold from other countries, have it refined here and then exported," he said.

In the next five years, AAIC plans more factories in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and South America.

Kuala Lumpur-based AAIC's main business is to arrange initial public offerings and capital-raising at the stock exchanges of London, New York, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong.

Through associate companies, AAIC also engages in commodity trading with deals in oil and gas, precious metals, industrial metals, and soft commodities.

BWT Group, which is based in South Africa, has an annual turnover of US$16 billion (RM55 billion), according to its website. It has investments in fishing, industrial, start-up ventures and the trading of precious stones and metals.

Port Klang container, cargo throughput down
By Kang Siew Li Published: 2010/01/1

Container traffic through Port Klang, the country's busiest container port, fell by 8.3 per cent last year, as the global economic downturn continues to hurt the country's exports.

The port handled 7.3 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), the standard measurement for shipping containers, compared with 7.9 million TEUs in 2008.

In terms of tonnage handled, traffic through the port was 133.8 million tonnes, down 8.8 per cent over the previous year.

More than half, or 61 per cent of the container volume, was from Westports, which generated 4.451 million TEUs. Northport accounted for the remaining 39 per cent or 2.858 million TEUs.

Transhipment cargo took the largest share of Port Klang's total throughput, contributing 58 per cent, with local boxes constituting the remaining 42 per cent .

However, transhipment volume also saw a 9 per cent drop to 4.3 million TEUs for the 12 months.

Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Kee Lian Yong said the decline in container and cargo throughput is in line with the global trend.

"(Nevertheless,) the port's container volume was better than our earlier forecast of a 10 per cent drop. Overall Port Klang also fared better than other major ports in the world, which saw a 10-15 per cent drop in traffic," he told Business Times.

Kee said Port Klang is expected to post throughput growth in 2010, returning to 2008 volume of 8 million TEUs.

"We remain cautiously optimistic as the shipping community is predicting that 2010 will still be a tough year," he added.

According to Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd's most recent projections, the market will have to wait until 2012 before global container port volume exceeds 2008 levels again. It expects Far East and Southeast Asian container traffic to recover faster than that in other regions.

"In 2010, the market should brace for another tough year," Shipping Association of Malaysia chairman Ooi Lean Hin had said in an earlier interview .

PKFZ 'very much alive', cargo volume set to surge
By Kang Siew Li Published: 2010/01/21

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/fz20/pix_bottom

THE Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) in Pulau Indah, Selangor, is "very much alive", although it is still embroiled in controversy and lawsuits over its ballooning cost overruns, says its head.

Last year, the free zone saw its container traffic rise almost five times to 43,032 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) from 9,112 TEUs in 2008.

In terms of tonnage, the volume of goods generated from trading, manufacturing and logistics activities grew by 223 per cent to 1.3 million tonnes last year, from 397,110 tonnes a year ago.

Port Klang Free Zone Sdn Bhd (PKFZSB) general manager Chia Kon Leong attributed the growth to increased economic and logistics activities culminating from new investments and growth of existing businesses in PKFZ. PKFZSB operates and markets the 405ha facility.

"With the commencement of operations of new manufacturing facilities in the free zone and the expansion of trading and logistics activities, cargo volume is projected to increase by more than 100 per cent this year," he told Business Times in an interview.

As at end-December 2009, PKFZSB has attracted 56 companies into the zone with total proposed investments of RM936.1 million.

Chia believes that this will be faster once the new business model for PKFZ has been completed.

A super task force led by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, was set up in October last year to restore the loss-making PKFZ project and identify measures for its development. It is expected to announce a business turnaround plan and a new business model for the free zone in March this year.

"It's business as usual. The free zone is very much alive. (In fact,) we are positioning ourselves as a distribution hub for containers and the London Metal Exchange (LME)," said Chia.

This follows LME's approval of Port Klang as a good delivery point for primary aluminium, aluminium alloy, zinc, copper, lead and nickel in June last year.

As at December 30 2009, 14 companies have taken up 98.5 acres (38.89ha), representing 16 per cent of the 640 acres (259.2ha) of open land in the zone.

"We don't foresee any problems getting the remaining 541.5 acres (219.31ha) developed within the next three to five years. It could go even faster, depending on the outcome of the new business model," he added.

Chia also expects LME metals and cotton distribution activities in PKFZ to increase the occupancy of its 512 pre-built light industrial units to 50 per cent by the end of this year, from 32 per cent now.

Meanwhile, the opening of the 135-room business hotel and 100,000 sq ft exhibition centre in the zone has been delayed until the second half of this year. It was originally slated to open by June 2008.

"Much still depends on the demand (for such facilities)," said Chia.

Ong: Former PKFZ directors can still be held liable
By Mazlinda Mahmood Published: 2010/01/22

FORMER Port Klang Authority (PKA) board members could still be held liable for failing to carry out their duties diligently following the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) fiasco.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said nobody was above the law but added there was no need to jump to conclusions.

Ong was asked why previous directors were not held responsible and sued for failing in their duties when former PKA general manager Datin Paduka O.C. Phang and several other individuals have been taken to court.

"I do agree that nobody is above the law but we must do what is necessary," he said in a press conference after launching the Whistle Blowing Policy at PKA in Port Klang yesterday.

PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, who was also present, admitted that the Transport Ministry's task force for the PKFZ probe recommended action against former board members.

However, the present board has not made any decisions on this.

Lee, however, denied that the board was dragging its feet, saying the board could only take action when personal involvement was clear.

"The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police are also investigating board members and senior staff. We are waiting for the outcome of their investigation.

"In the case of O.C. Phang, there was clear evidence, other than fiduciary duties, there were no evidence of direct involvement (by former board members)," he said.

Asked whether action was not taken against certain members of the board because they have titles, Ong said it would be prejudicial to make such an assumption.

On December 10, O.C. Phang, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Stephen Abok and architect Bernard Tan Seng Swee were charged with criminal breach of trust and cheating.

Phang is facing three counts of criminal breach of trust amounting to RM254 million at the PKA office in Jalan Pelabuhan Klang here between October 1 2004 and January 13 2006.

According to media reports, the Public Accounts Committee's probe into the PKFZ scandal began after PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng lodged a police report in August alleging possible fraud amounting to RM1.5 billion.

Discrepancies over PKFZ's development were uncovered by a special task force, comprising lawyers, accountants, quantity surveyors and building cost consultants from professional firms, set up by the Transport Ministry following an audit report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Port Klang Free Zone posts maiden operating profit
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2010/01/22

THE Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) in Pulau Indah, Selangor, has made its first operating profit since its inception in November 2006. The firm has made an operating profit of RM5.18 million on revenue of RM15 million in 2009.

"This year, we are optimistic that we will be able to do better. We have a few (new) projects in hand, which will increase the occupancy of our facilities and generate more cargo," PKFZ Sdn Bhd (PKFZSB) general manager Chia Kon Leong told reporters after the launch of Port Klang Authority's (PKA) whistle-blowing policy in Port Klang yesterday.

PKFZSB operates and markets the 405ha free zone, which is owned by PKA.

Besides more aggressively marketing the free zone, PKFZSB is also looking at a revamp of its business model to make PKFZ a more attractive destination for investors.

"Two things are important for investors, ease of doing business and cost. We are working closely with the relevant government agencies to ensure that there is ease of doing business in PKFZ," Chia said.

He is also working on packaging its three facilities, namely its 256ha of open land, 512 light industrial units (LIUs) and the 500,000 sq ft office block, more attractively, leveraging on the strength of the seamless port environment.

PKFZ is targeting a 50 per cent occupancy rate for its LIUs by the end of the year from 31.6 per cent now, and hopes to convince at least 10 investors to take up land on its open space.

Currently, 16.6 per cent of the total open land has been leased.

"As you know, in 2009, many investors put a lot of their plans on hold, due to the uncertain economic climate ... with the signs of a recovery, they should be coming in this year," Chia said.

"We admit that we still have to work hard on the usage of the open land. However in 2010, we will be more aggressive in our outreach, and branding exercise. It's a double-prong approach," Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said.

Westports gets ISO 14001 certification
Published: 2010/03/01

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/port25/pix_topleft

WESTPORTS in Port Klang has received ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system.

It also obtained the OHSAS 18001 accreditation for its occupational health and safety management system recently.

The dual certification was granted after a stringent audit by SGS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, a Singapore-based auditing firm.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the operator of Westports, said the dual certification was a boost to the port's aspiration to establish a "best in class" environment, health and safety management system (EHS-MS).

"To achieve that, we want to be the first in everything and best in everything," it said.

The EHS-MS is based on the internationally recognised management system that acknowledges that process and activities conducted in the port have been assessed and posed minimum risk, including accident, fire and pollution risks.

"Although we have our own systems, we still subject them to third party audits because we want to bring in international standards to ours,"said Westports executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam.

"We also want to show our conformance to legal and other requirements via third party certification," he added.

Westports expects to handle more than 5m TEUs this year
By Rupa Damodaran Published: 2010/03/03

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/rup020d/pix_bottom

Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd expects the terminal to handle 5.2 million (twenty-foot equivalent units) TEUs this year, up from 4.5 million last year, said its executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam.

He said the last few months has seen a growth in shipments on the back of the recovery of regional economies.

"We have reached a big inflexion point in terms of shipping and this has been seen in our manpower (needs)," he said.

Early 2009, the port had an excess of 1,000 workers due to the economic crisis but with the improvement it has started hiring again and taken in 80 workers in the past three months, he said on the sidelines of the FMM National Export Conference 2010 in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

Westports recorded five million TEUs, the standard measurement for shipping containers, in 2008.

At the height of the crisis last year, shipping lines in general suffered losses totalling US$20 billion (US$1 = RM3.39) as the world shipping volume dropped by 25 per cent while capacity increased by 35 per cent.

Gnanalingam described undercutting as one of the main reasons as shipping lines grappled with excess capacity.

He said the shipping scene is likely to continue to see changes with more consolidation among the players.

For instance, Maersk stands strongly due to merger exercise compared to a decade ago when the shipping scene was dominated by Maersk and Sealand and P&O and Nedlloyd.

A decade ago there were 100 shipping lines and the number is expected to shrink by half within this year.

In terms of growth this year, Gnanalingam said the main drivers would be China, India and the Middle East, markets that will benefit from Malaysia's exports.

This would be followed by Australia and South America before Europe kicks in.

TRC Synergy unit gets Northport's RM45.9m container terminal job
Written by Joseph Chin
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 18:32

KUALA LUMPUR: TRC SYNERGY BHD []'s unit has secured a RM45.98 million project for one of Northport (Malaysia) Bhd's container terminals.

It said on Wednesday, March 10 its unit Trans Resources Corporation Sdn Bhd received the letter of award from Northport on Tuesday.

The project is the proposed development of RTG G-Block and associated works at container terminal one at Port Klang, Selangor.

CSCL: Westports will remain our S-E Asia mega hub
Published: 2010/03/15
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/cscl14/Article/

CHINA Shipping Container Lines Co Ltd (CSCL) will continue to make Westports Malaysia in Port Klang its mega transshipment hub in Southeast Asia.

A Westports statement said Ma Zehua, CSCL vice-president, made the commitment to Westports' executive chairman Tan Sri G. Ghanalingam during a recent visit to the port.

CSCL is Westports' second largest customer after French liner CMA CGM.

Last year, Westports handled some 552,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) for CSCL, including for the group's feeder liner, Puhai Shipping, and the volume is expected to increase this year.

"We have been constantly improving the productivity rate on their vessels.

"They have not only grown in terms of volume but also in terms of vessel sizes as more and more mega-sized vessels are making regular calls at Westports," the statement added. - Bernama

Westports sets record for crane moves
Published: 2010/03/22
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/wp16/Article/

WESTPORTS Malaysia charted a new record number of crane moves in one shift this month, with 734 moves per hour on the CSCL Pusan, belonging to China Shipping.

The 9,600-TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) vessel was off-loaded by nine cranes, doing a total of 5,244 moves.

The feat beat the previous record of 665 moves per hour set in 2008.

"The productivity achie-ved over such a large volume of moves across the vessel continues to boost the port's status as the world's best five for productivity and a leading mega transshipment hub in the region," said Westports executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam in a statement.

"The team's objective was to break the previous CSCL vessel record of 263 moves per hour, while Westports' overall record was 665 moves per hour done on a CMA vessel in 2008," he added.

Ruben attributed the feat to team effort displayed by the port's staff, "from the planning department to the maintenance and repair team who were on a 24-hour standby to ensure that the entire operation was executed without any delay".

"The container operations teams are now working towa-rds achieving performance record on other lines calling at Westports," he said.

Westports posts healthy volume growth in Q1
Published: 2010/04/12

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/wpor/pix_topright

Malaysia's leading port, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, posted a healthy 27 per cent surge in its container volume for the first quarter of this year compared with the corresponding period of last year.

Improvements were seen in both performance and productivity, especially in container operations, Westports said in a statement.

Westports container throughput was 1.244 million TEUs compared with 981,000 TEUs in the first quarter of 2009.

Local volume increased by 24 per cent while transshipment was up by 22 per cent.

"If we compare our first quarter figures with that of 2008, which had a stronger performance compared with the slower and weaker 2009, we have actually grown by 7 per cent and this puts us on a stronger platform to achieve 5.2 million TEUs for 2010," said Westports executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam in the statement.

Westports recorded a container volume of 1.166 million TEUs in the first quarter of 2008.

"Looking forward, the outlook for 2010 will be generally better than in 2009. There has been an uptrend in Westports' throughput in past months and that could well be extended into the rest of the year," Ruben said.

Most encouraging was the growth of local boxes, which saw Westports market share in Port Klang rising to 44 per cent while that for transshipment growth was retained at 71 per cent.

Overall, Westports commanded a market share of 61 per cent in Port Klang.

A significant development in Q1 was the new world benchmark for productivity recently.

"Westports' operations team yet again showed its dexterity and skills in container handling when it managed to hit crane productivity of 734 moves in a single hour of operations with nine-crane deployment, erasing the earlier mark of 665 mph done on a CMA vessel in 2008," the statement said.

This feat was performed on March 9 while working on CSCL Pusan, a 9,600-TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) vessel belonging to China Shipping.

A total of 5,244 moves were achieved on this vessel, which sails on the AEX 7 service (eastbound).

The productivity achieved over such a large volume of moves across the vessel continues to boost the port's status as the World's Best 5 for Productivity and a leading mega transshipment hub in the region.

On port expansion works, Ruben said: "We will build a new 300m wharf when we hit 450,000 TEUs consecutively for three months.

"This would be followed by the acquisition of additional equipment and manpower. Our current capacity is 7.2 million TEUs." - Bernama

http://www.westportsmalaysia.com/

West Port is one of three ports in Selangor that comprises Port Klang, Malaysia. The other two are Northport and Southpoint. Located on Pulau Indah in Klang, it was opened in 1995. It is the nation's leading private seaport. In H1 2008, it'd handled 2.45 million TEUs with a market share of 62% in Port Klang. It expected to reach 5 million TEUs by end of 2008.

MISC buys stake in VTTI for RM2.36bil
By IZWAN IDRIS Tuesday May 18, 2010

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2010/5/18/business/p1-VTTI.JPG

An aerial view of VTTI's tank terminal assets

Move in line with shipping firm's strategy to grow tank terminal business

PETALING JAYA: MISC Bhd has proposed to buy a 50% stake in global tank terminal firm VTTI BV for US$735mil (RM2.36bil) in a move that will give the home-grown shipping giant immediate access to strategically located assets at the “crossroads of major products and energy shipping lanes of the world,” the company said.

“The acquisition of 50% interest in VTTI is a key element in developing the company's global tank terminal business, in line with MISC's strategy to expand its service offerings across the value chain,” president and chief executive officer Amir Hamzah Azizan said in the statement yesterday.

VTTI owns and operates a network of petroleum product terminals in 11 countries with a gross combined capacity of nearly six million cu m.

This gross combined capacity is set to expand to nearly seven million cum by 2013.

Its major terminals are located in Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and Port Canaveral in the US.

VTTI is a wholly-owned unit of Netherland-based Vitol Group, one of the largest independent energy trading companies in the world.

MISC said the tank terminal business was an “attractive investment that will provide stable returns”.

The company's participation in the business would give it the edge over traditional shipping competitors through marketing opportunities and cross selling in both business segments.

“Upon completion of this sale and purchase transaction, MISC and Vitol will enter into a shareholder agreement to reflect the long-term relationship and strategic cooperation between MISC and Vitol in relation to their interest in VTTI,” the statement said.

MISC owns and operates more than 100 vessels, and is the leading energy transporter in the world in the liquefied natural gas, petroleum and chemical industry.

MISC and Vitol first entered into a partnership last year when the two companies started a joint venture to build and operate an oil blending terminal in Tanjung Bin, Johor. The 841,000 cu m oil blending terminal was scheduled to commence operation in 2012.

With the acquisition of the 50% stake in VTTI, the joint venture deal will be terminated and MISC's shares in the Tanjung Bin joint venture called Asia Tank Terminal Ltd will be sold to VTTI Tanjung Bin SA at cost.

The sale and purchase agreement to acquire the 50% stake in VTTI was signed yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.

MISC was represented by Amir Hamzah, while Vitol was represented by its president and CEO Ian Taylor.

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Port Klang
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjesamdyunos/with/4770915760/
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Westports Handles Highest First-Half Throughput Of 2.65 Mln TEUs
July 11, 2010 10:46 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, has recorded its highest first-half throughput ever, handling 2.65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the first six months of this year.

This is a staggering 30 per cent increase compared with the same period last year when it handled 2.03 million TEUs, Malaysia's leading port said in a statement on Sunday.

Westports posted an all-time high monthly throughput of 484,000 TEUs in June, moving a total of 1.4 million TEUs in the second-quarter, a 33 per cent increase from the same period last year.

Additionally, local container volume posted 25 per cent growth, up from the 579,000 TEUs handled in the first-half of last year, to reach 724,000 TEUs in the first six-months of this year while transshipment was up 26 per cent.

Positive improvements were seen in both performance and productivity especially in container operations.

Westports Executive Director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam said the port was on a stronger footing to achieve 5.4 million TEUs for this year.

"We will be investing in Container Terminal 6 that comprises an additional 300 metre berth, 1,500 additional ground slot of yard space and four new quay cranes," Ruben said.

The new terminal, expected to be ready by the second-quarter of next year, would add to the port's current capacity of 7.5 million TEUs.

"Westports also provides value-added services to customers through its On Dock Depot (ODD) and Container Freight Station (CFS) facilities at its terminal.

The port has seven ODD and four CFS privately operated by logistics players.

"The number of containers handled by these ODDs and CFSs have increased remarkably by 66 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively, against 2009," said Ruben of the new developments at the port.

Meanwhile, Westports' conventional business achieved an overall growth of 18 per cent in general and bulk cargo to 4.1 million metric tonnes for the first-half compared with 3.4 million metric tonnes registered last year.

As for Roll-On/Roll-Off volume, the port saw a 45 per cent increase in vehicle handling, compared with last year, due to an increase in the import and export of steel products while for bulk cargo, the contribution came from an increase in fertiliser imports.

With this growth, Westports is on target to achieve its overall target of 8.5 million metric tonnes for conventional business this year.

A significant development in H1 was the new world benchmark for productivity set in March.

Westports' operations team demonstrated their dexterity and skills in container handling when it managed to hit crane productivity of 734 moves in a single hour of operation on a 9,600 TEU China shipping vessel.

Ruben said the productivity achieved over such a large volume of moves across the vessel continued to boost the port's status as the world's best for productivity and a leading mega transhipment hub in the region.

-- BERNAMA

Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas feel the pinch
Llyod’s List - May 29, 2010

MALAYSIA’S ports have been a key part of the country’s development as a maritime nation.

A major exporter and strategically positioned on the Malacca Strait, Malaysia’s ports have enjoyed rapid growth over the last decade.

Both Port Klang and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas are among the top 20 largest container ports worldwide, particularly notable in PTP’s case which had not even started operations 10 years ago.

Without doubt 2009 is going to be a tough year for the ports as they are hit by the same slowdown in traffic that has affected ports throughout the world.

Westports Malaysia, the largest terminal operator in Port Klang, expects to see volumes falling this year with handling only around 4m teu compared to 4.97m teu last year. In the first quarter of 2009, volumes declined 15%-16% year on year.

Westports Malaysia has put on hold expansion plans and is to relook at capital expenditure plans at the end of the year.

Last year the terminal operator invested around RM600m ($171m) increasing its capacity to 7.2m teu annually.

While Westports Malaysia has a greater focus on transhipment, fellow Port Klang terminal operator Northport ismore focused on regional business and Malaysia imports and exports. Last year the terminal handled 3m teu and it also has a major focus on dry and liquid bulk and general cargoes. In the first two months of this year, volumes contracted 15% but inMarch the rate of contraction slowed to around 8%.

Unlike Westports, it is not delaying its expansion plans this year and it has budgeted RM500m for expansion in 2009.

“As things are much less severe domestically, Northport is unlikely to witness a severe fall in container throughput volume — given the cushion from indigenous cargo trade as well as its relatively smaller exposure in transhipment containers compared with neighbouring rival Westports,” says a recent report by OSK Research.

PTP has been a major success story for Malaysia, becoming a major transhipment hub backed by the regional transhipment business of both Maersk and Evergreen Marine.

PTP has been seeing opportunities in the downturn to win over new customers, offering what it believes is competitive pricing. The port, in southwest Johor and close to Singapore, currently has 10 berths and handled 5.6mteu last year and expects to handle a similar volume this year.

Expansion work is continuing, with berths 11 and 12 expected to be completed this year, adding a further 720 m of quay at the port and bringing its annual handling capacity to 10m teu.

In the northeast of the country, Penang port is seeking to boost its status from being a feeder port with investment in dredging its access channel.

Penang Port Commission has applied to the Malaysia ministry of transport for RM350m to deepen the channel.

“If we are able to deepen our channel to about 15 m, we will be able to cater to more main line carriers of 5,000 teu,” PPC chairman

Tan Cheng Liang said last month. At present the channel depth is 9 m to 11 m, meaning the port can handle only feeder vessels of up to about 2,000 teu in capacity.

Port Klang retains status as busiest container port
By Kang Siew LiPublished: 2010/07/12
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/westopo/Article/index_html#ixzz0tR9Ij8QW

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/westopo/pix_bottom

Port Klang, comprising Northport and Westports, has retained its title as the country's busiest container port in the first half of this year, with a 48.3 per cent share of the total number of containers handled by all Malaysian ports.

Its rival, Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor, was listed second busiest, handling 35.4 per cent of the country's total container throughput.

Port Klang moved 4.31 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of cargo in the January-June 2010 period, up 29.3 per cent from 3.33 million TEUs a year earlier, as the global economic recovery boosted cargo traffic, said Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Kee Lian Yong.

It handled 856,110 TEUs of exports, up 25.8 per cent from a year earlier, and the volume of imports rose 18.2 per cent to 828,082 TEUs. Transshipment volume rose 34.5 per cent to 2.62 million TEUs.

Kee said Westports led the way in the first half of 2010 with a 30 per cent increase in container volume from the same period in 2009, handling 2.65 million TEUs, while Northport saw a 28 per cent increase to 1.66 million TEUs last year.

"We are on track to achieve our stretch target of 8.4 million TEUs for the whole year, where Westports is projected to handle 5.2 million TEUs and Northport 3.2 million TEUs. The fourth quarter is traditionally the busiest quarter of the year," Kee told Business Times in an interview.

Port Klang moved 7.31 million TEUs last year, a decline of 8.3 per cent compared with 7.97 million TEUs recorded in 2008.

"The projection for 2011 is a growth of 10 to 12 per cent in container volume (from 2010)," said Kee.

Meanwhile, in terms of tonnage handled, traffic through Port Klang in the first five months (January-May) of this year increased by 36.8 per cent to 65.54 million tonnes from 47.90 million tonnes a year earlier.

"PKA and the two terminal operators (Northport and Westports) took this time of slow-paced economy and downturn to reshape our strategies. These strategies have hastened and increased our growth even more so with the global economic recovery as can be seen by our growth percentage for the first half of 2010," said Kee.

He added that the port authority is aware that emerging ports in Asia such as Vietnam and Sri Lanka pose stiff competition to Port Klang.

"In order for us to be competitive, we are constantly looking at our operations to ensure (we offer) effective and efficient service, are service oriented, and have cost-effective operations and a commercial competitive environment," he said.

Shell Secures 14-year Lease To LBT Terminal At Westports
July 30, 2010 15:59 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd has signed a long-term sub-lease agreement Thursday with Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd at Port Klang for storing, supplying and distributing petroleum products.

The 14-year agreement enables Shell to operate and manage liquid bulk cargo at Westports Liquid Bulk Terminal (LBT).

Products to be stored initially are diesel and petrol.

"Westports is proud to have one of the largest companies in the world operating at the Westports LBT terminal," said Westports' Executive Director, Ruben Emir Gnanalingam in the statement released here, Friday.

He added that Shell, emerging as a conventional client, certainly speaks volume of Westports' strength, especially its strategic location to attract leading industries to undertake commercial activities at the port.

The terminal spans 9.71 hectares and includes access to Westports' jetty that is medium range/long range vessel capable, cargo lines, fuel and chemical tanks and gantry facilities.

-- BERNAMA

Westports Strengthens Japan Connectivity With OOCL's KTX3 Service
August 01, 2010 12:37 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=517950

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Westports Malaysia, Port Klang's leading terminal, and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) have jointly launched the KTX3 Service, which provides fast connectivity to Japan for Malaysian shippers.

The KTX3 service on the Intra-Asia trade now connects Westports with direct weekly services to the Japanese ports of Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama and Kobe.

Also in the loop is Keelung in Taiwan, Shekou and Hong Kong.

"With direct connectivity to Japan, we are now providing more options for our customers to send or receive cargoes to and from Japan.

"Westports is not only a long haul port. We have now closed the gap on Intra-Asia coverage as we have increased our presence in the Intra-Asia routes," said Westports Executive Director Ruben Emir Gnanalingamin in a statement on Sunday.

Thanking OOCL and Westports customers for their vote of confidence and continued support, he said Westports remained committed to delivering high productivity and service standards demanded by shipping lines and customers.

OOCL's Regional Managing Director Captain S.C.Chan said the service was enhanced recently to meet increasing customer demand in the region.

Since its introduction, Chan said the KTX service had proven to be highly dependable and popular among customers in the Intra-Asia market.

"We are excited of this extension of the KTX3 service to Westports as we believe the port has proven to be a highly productive port in the world, trusted with skilled workforce, reliability, security as well as a friendly port with personalised services," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Westports Taking Proactive Measures To Strengthen Security
August 16, 2010 16:14 PM
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=521524

KUALA LUMPUR, August 16 (Bernama) -- Westports Malaysia is taking proactive measures to strengthen its security systems to match international standards.

"It is our mission to ensure not only the security aspect of the port is taken care but also to make Pulau Indah a crime-free island," said Westports executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam in a statement Monday.

Currently, the port has 200 auxiliary port police officers appointed under the Police Act 1967, one of the largest contingent of auxiliary police officers in the country.

The officers are vested with police powers, and recently were assigned policing powers under the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) programme for the entire Pulau Indah.

With powers to investigate, arrest, interrogate and prosecute, the officers have contributed to a 90 per cent crime solving rate, according to Westports.

The high-tech Smart Card Security System (SCSS) has been implemented for haulier entry-exit at the port.

It has also establised an online gate pass system for conventional gate, and conducts full entry-exit inspection on all vehicles and port users as well.

Westports has been audited and recognised by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) of the United States as a safe port for US warships.

Coupled with its world-class facility and effective security management, at least two US Navy vessels will berth at the port every year.

With more than 10,000 ships of various sizes calling at the port annually, Westports said that "it has always been taking port security and safety very seriously".

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia to boost ties with Shanghai ports
By CHOW HOW BAN Saturday August 21, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/21/nation/6895892&sec=nation

SHANGHAI: Malaysia is set to strengthen relations with ports in Shanghai in terms of port management, information exchange and other services instead of just shipping goods, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

“Currently, we have MISC container ships from Port Klang heading for Shanghai ports weekly. Our liquefied natural gas also comes to Shanghai from Bintulu,” he said after his visit to the Shanghai municipal transport and port authority on Thursday.

“We can learn from each other on shipping security, shipping safety, handling of forwarding agents and good port management practices to improve turnover at our ports.”

He said Port Klang had already established sister-port relationships with the Port of Ningbo and Dalian Port Authority, to share information, undertake joint-marketing and facilitate the exchange of employees for attachment work.

The minister also met executives from the China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) Co Ltd yesterday to convince the company that it could expand its base and explore business opportunities in Malaysia.

In a statement yesterday, Kong said the country’s economic growth would be boosted by the transport sector in the third quarter this year.

He added that to enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness, the Government was committed to provide seamless and efficient maritime cargo transportation infrastructures and services through the Strategic Plan 2008 to 2015.

He also said that aviation passengers increased by 16.6%, from 24.2 million in 2009 to 28.2 million while air cargo handled increased by 23.7% from 366,512 metric tonnes to 453,315 metric tonnes in the second quarter of 2010.

Westports to post RM900m revenue
Published: 2010/09/06
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20100906125223/Article/index_html

Westports Malaysia expects to chalk up revenue of close to RM900 million this year, driven by brisk business activities due to an improved global economic scenario.

Last year, Westports posted revenue of about RM700 million.

Other factors which would boost earnings include greater throughput, continuing measures to increase efficiency, existing clients, as well as new and major clients who see Westports as a hub, meeting their port servicing needs better, its Executive Director, Ruben Emir Gnanalingam said.

"Our best year was 2008 where we hit revenue of RM950 million. Although volume picked up tremendously subsequently, it did not match the high of 2008 due to the onslaught of the global economic crisis, with a lot of customers asking for rebates," Ruben told Bernama in an exclusive interview.

Westports expects to achieve a total container throughput of about 5.4 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) for this year, which is about 30 per cent higher than 2009. For the first six months of this year, he said the port had achieved over 2.6 million TEUs.

"We have new customers coming in from Singapore, like the United Arab Shipping Corp, which has switched its hub from the city-state.

"This has contributed significantly to our growth while existing clients also continued to drive it," he said. He said Westports' market strategy was always based on productivity and turnaround time.

"We have a world record for turnaround time and our average is higher compared to other ports. This has positioned us well to provide good services to clients and are also factors as to why they come to us," he added.

Ruben said Westports intends to invest between RM3 billion and RM4 billion over the next 15 years on expansion, including the wharf, facilities and equipment. He said the company would be utilising self generated funds and proceeds from the issuance of the RM800 million sukuk musyarakah medium term notes (MTN) programme, which it embarked on in 2008.

"Asked why the company pursued sukuk financing, he said: "Islamic financing gives better deals (and) there is a shared involvement of risks and rewards."

According to Ruben, Westports is also embarking on a massive land reclamation project at its port premises, to build an additional two-kilometre berth.

The company is also looking at immediately building another 300-metre berth and a corresponding yard.

"We envisage to build 300 metres of berth every year for the next three or four years," he explained. He said once the port hit a 50 per cent capacity for the year, it would embark on further expansion plans.

In July this year, he said, the port hit about a 55 per cent capacity and hence, the present expansion. Westports is also looking at acquiring new ports as in India but this might require more financing.

"If that happens and because the ports are of various sizes, we do not discount listing," he said.

Ruben said Westports will also look to newer technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity, which has become the hallmark of the premier port going forward, in what is surely a highly competitive industry.- Bernama

Westports on track to hit 5.5m TEUs target
Published: 2010/10/18
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/pw/Article/

WESTPORTS is on track in achieving its target of 5.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) container volume this year, having achieved 4.1 million TEUs in the first nine months of the year.

Its chief executive officer Ruben Emir Gnanalingam said a highlight of the third quarter was hitting a record month volume of 518,355 TEUs in July.

This marks the first time the port has exceeded the 500,000th monthly TEU mark.

Meanwhile, one of two ports in Port Klang, Westports has allocated RM300 million as capital expenditure for expansion work.

It has started work on Container Terminal 6 that comprises an additional 300-meter berth, an additional 1,500 ground slots of yard space and four new quay cranes.

The new terminal is expected to be ready by the second quarter of 2011. This will increase the port's capacity to 7.5 million TEUs.

"More mega-sized vessels (12,000 TEUs and above) have started calling us. These developments mark a defining moment in our history and a significant leap forward as we forge ahead into our next phase of growth," added Ruben.

Westports handles 64 per cent of overall container volume at Port Klang and 43 per cents for local volume.

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North Port @ Port Klang
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Port Klang Free Zone @ Westport

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Scomi in deal to set up campus at PKFZ
By Goh Thean Eu Published: 2010/12/08
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/scomi07/Article/

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/scomi07/pix_topleft

SCOMI Marine Bhd (7045), an oil and gas services provider and an associate of Scomi Group Bhd, intends to jointly set up a regional maritime campus at the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) with three other parties.

Scomi yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Maritime University (IMU) Intan Asia Sdn Bhd and PKFZ to set up an IMU Asia Campus in PKFZ.

The MOU, signed in New Delhi, aims to set up a framework for the provision of maritime academic programmes like training, research, consultancy courses and services in Malaysia at the campus in PKFZ.

The signatories were Kanesan Veluppillai, president of Scomi International, IMU Vice-Chancellor Dr P. Vijayan, Intan Asia executive chairman Datuk Suhaimi Yaacob and PKFZ chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng.
A Scomi statement issued in New Delhi said as part of the MOU, all parties will form joint management and academic committees so that they can carry out the planning, direction and overall management of project and the academic curriculum respectively.

"The establishment of IMU Asia Campus will form a part of Scomi's corporate social responsibility initiatives in the country. Our intention is to train young Malaysians for a career in shipping industry," Scomi Group chief executive officer Shah Hakim Zain said in the statement.

"This is a privileged opportunity for Scomi to contribute to the Malaysian education system by providing an academy for our students to choose from with exciting new courses," he added.

IMU is a central university established by the Indian government with its headquarters located in Chennai, India.

It also has regional campuses in Mumbai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Cochin in India.

PKFZ has been identified as the ideal location for the IMU Asia Campus as it offers excellent connectivity and infrastructure facilities.

The project will be able to utilise the existing build-up facilities in the four blocks of office complex in PKFZ immediately, he added.

Among courses expected to be introduced include diploma in nautical studies and degrees in nautical studies, nautical science, shipbuilding and repair, maritime science andmaritime engineering.

Aker's Port Klang hub to work on China project
Published: 2010/12/08
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/akersol/Article/

NORWEGIAN firm Aker Solutions, part of Aker group of companies, recently won a US$20 million (RM62.8 million) contract to supply a subsea production systems for the development of a gas field offshore China.

Aker Solutions signed a subsea contract with the state-owned oil company China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) in Zhangjian last month to supply the systems for Yacheng 13-4 gas field.

In a statement, Aker Solutions said it was the first subsea production system contract it had signed with CNOOC, marking its entry into China's subsea market.

The project will be delivered out of Aker Solutions' high-tech subsea manufacturing centre in Port Klang.

The centre, operated under Aker Solutions Malaysia Sdn Bhd, is the only facility in the world where a complete subsea production system can be manufactured in one location, the company said.

The field development is located in the north of South China Sea, about 72km southwest of Sanya City, Hainan Province, with a water depth of about 90 metres.

The scope of work covers engineering, manufacturing and delivery of three subsea wellhead systems, three gas producing subsea trees, control systems, subsea distribution system and installation support services.

Deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2011, said Aker Solutions Subsea Asia Pacific president Dave Jutchinson, who thanked CNOOC for the opportunity to prove its subsea capabilities.

"With more than two decades of industrial experience in this field, we can assure CNOOC that their project will be in highly capable hands," he added.

Port Klang Expects Double-digit Growth In Cargo
January 13, 2011 16:13 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=556387&cat=ct

PETALING JAYA, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- The Port Klang Authority (PKA) expects a double-digit growth in the cargo it will handle this year.

Its chairman, Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, said Port Klang handled 8.9 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) last year, a 21 per cent increase from 7.9 million TEUs handled in 2009.

"In the recent years, despite the recent economic crisis, Port Klang has posted relatively healthy growth figures.

"The strong support from our leading clients such as CMA CGM has been a strong driving force in the performance expansion in Port Klang for many years," he told reporters after celebrating CMA CGM's achievement in handling TEUs in Port Klang, Thursday.

He said CMA CGM has contributed approximately 20 per cent or 2.3 million TEUs of Port Klang's total throughput volume last year.

"Port Klang has seen CMA CGM growing to become the third largest container line in the world, ever since they made us their home in 1997," he said.

CMA CGM has established Westports as its mega transshipment hub including its subsidiaries Delmas (the African Specialist), Australian National Line and Taiwan-based ChengLi Navigation.

CMA CGM is a container shipping company that offers a complete range of activities including transport by sea, river and rail, handling facilities in port as well as logistics on land.

-- BERNAMA

Port Klang Bridge
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USS Carl Vinson at Port Klang
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USS Blue Ridge docks at Port Klang
Tuesday March 8, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/8/nation/8210766&sec=nation

PORT KLANG: The USS Blue Ridge, the command ship of the United States Seventh Fleet, has docked at Port Klang as part of its scheduled visit to Malaysia.

Fleet commander Vice-Admiral Scott R. van Buskirk said the three-day visit was to enhance military ties between the US and Malaysia.

“The USS Blue Ridge made its last port of call to Malaysia in 2009 and we are happy to be back again,” he said after hosting a dinner reception for Malaysian dignitaries and members of the media on board here last night.

Also present were US Ambassador to Malaysia Paul W. Jones and Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar. — Bernama

Indian Coast Guard vessel docks at Port Klang
Posted on March 19, 2011, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=105778

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FRIENDLY VISIT: The ship berthing at Glenn Cruise terminal.
— Bernama photo

PORT KLANG: Indian Coast Guard ship, Sankalp, has docked at the Glenn Marine Cruise Terminal here since Monday for a friendly visit to exchange programmes with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Malaysian Marine Police.

Sankalp Captain, Deputy Inspector-General SD Bhanot said this was the first visit by the advanced offshore patrol vessel to Malaysia and embarked on sharing experience and information pertaining to safeguarding the waters of both countries.

“We had very good exchange of information with the MMEA and marine police here.

The Malaysia marine enforcement team is doing an excellent job in maintaining the high marine security level.

“It is good for us to share information because we are doing a similar task,” he told a press conference on board the vessel here yesterday.

Colonel YS Ahlawat Bhanot said it was relevant for both countries to share ways and methods in maintaining surveillance at a high level. – Bernama

PKCC wins 'Most Efficient Port Services' award
Published: 2011/03/24
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110324195619/Article/index_html

PORT Klang Cruise Centre (PKCC) in Pulau Indah, Port Klang has won the 'Most Efficient Port Services' award by Dream World Cruise Destinations magazine at its 15th annual award presentation.

In a statement Thursday, PKCC said the award was based on the port's efficient combination of pilotage, port agency services, Custom clearance and good working relations with the operations departments of cruise liners.

Its chairman, Admiral (R) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, said since the acquisition of PKCC by Glenn Marine Group (Asia) Sdn Bhd in 2010, it had also embarked on expansion plans for the cruise terminal.

"These expansion plans will allow us to work on additional cruise business, and related cruise spin-offs," he said.

The award winners are based on surveys that are collected from cruise line executives from around the world.

The award was announced during the Seatrade Cruise Shipping conference in Miami, Florida, recently. - BERNAMA

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Port Klang
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Northport expects more traffic in 2011
Published: 2011/03/28
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110328161027/Article/index_html

Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, the port operating subsidiary of NCB Holdings Bhd, expects to handle 3.5 million twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) this year against 3.3 million TEUs recorded last year.

NCB Holdings Chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said the group was optimistic of achieving the target based on improved global trade and the country's manufacturing output.

The group will spend RM300 million for the expansion of Northport's terminal facility in response to increased demand, he told reporters after NCB Holdings annual general meeting here today.

The new facility, to be constructed in the second-half of the year and completed by 2013, would increase Northport's capacity towards the vicinity of 5.5 million TEUs.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Sarji said the NCB group has submitted a proposal to the government to renew Northport's licence which was due to expire in 2013.

"We submitted this proposal and would like the authority to see how we operate. We hope the early submission of this proposal and with the authorities coming over to see our facilities will help accelerate the decision making process and thereby give us a good lead time for expansion," he added.

He also said the RM300 million facility expansion was indicative of the group's earnest to pursue its business.

"We hope this thing (investment) will add to our merit in persuading the authority to consider us favourably for the renewal of our lease," he said. -- Bernama

Pulau Klang acts as a natural breakwater...

Port Klang sets for 10th place world ranking
Published: 2011/04/22
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110422163037/Article/index_html

Port Klang is undergoing rapid growth and is expected to become one of the most important and busiest container ports globally, achieving at least a 10th place ranking in the near future, says Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri.

He said last year, Port Klang saw a surge in the handling of containers, with a 21.4 per cent jump to 8.87 million TEU's from the 7.3 million in 2009.

"This performance left Port Klang in 13th spot amongst the biggest container ports in the world, beating Antwerp and Hamburg into 14th and 15th place respectively, as well as the Port of Los Angeles in 16th spot.

"This impressive rise is closely associated with the presence of the United Arab Shipping Corporation Consortium, comprising shipping companies of Arab countries, which have made Port Klang a key "transshipment hub" for the region," he said in a statement here today.

Abdul Rahim said last year, the consortium moved 339,000 TEUs, an increase from the 65,000 TEUs previously.

He said the activity was encouraged by the prospects of the country's economic growth which was moving at a healthy pace as well as the recovery in the global economy.

"Other than Port Klang, the Port of Tanjong Pelepas in Johor, has also shown an encouraging performance and is the 17th largest container port in the world, having moved 6.54 million TEUs last year," he added. - Bernama

UASC’S largest container vessel calls at Westports
Posted on May 16, 2011, Monday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=130473

KUALA LUMPUR: UMM SALAL – a 13,000 twentyfoot equivalent unit (TEU) container vessel owned by the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) – made her maiden call at Westports on May 12, marking a momentous landmark in the history of UASC.

The berthing of UMM SALAL at Westports is viewed as yet another great effort to promote government- to-government relations and business-to-business partnership.

“We see it as an opportunity for both the Middle East and Malaysia to achieve greater harmony and to further expand commercial prospects,” said Westports’ chief executive officer Ruben Emir Gnanalingam in a statement yesterday.

He also assured UASC that Westports would continue to provide its utmost support in their endeavour to be a leading global player.

The UMM SALAL, which sailed into Westports from Yantian, China, is the first in a series of nine A-13 Class container ships odered by UASC, and is currently being deloyed for North Europe trade.

On hand to receive the mega-sized container vessel on Thursday was Port Klang Authority chairman Datuk Dr Teh Kim Po, Westports executive chairman Tan Sri G Gnanalingam and UASC vice president for Asia region, Lars Christiansen.

Meanwhile, Ruben said Westports was now on an expansion path and has already commenced reclamation work from Container Terminal (CT) 6 to 9.

As for wharf expansion, he said the port operator had completed almost 70 per cent of works on the first 300-metre for CT6.

“It is scheduled to be ready in July.

“We have also ordered eight new cranes which would be delivered between July and Novermber,” he said.

Ruben pointed out that Westports would continue construction of another 900-metre berth with the first 300-metre expected to be ready by end-2012 and the balance by mid-2013.

He said the 900-metre berth would be complemented with 11 new cranes, which would bring the total number of cranes at Westports to 54. — Bernama

Westports embarks on RM2b expansion plan
By Zurinna Raja Adam Published: 2011/06/03
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/wess/Article/

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KUALA LUMPUR: Port operator Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd hopes to increase its container handling capacity to 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2017 as it embarks on a RM2 billion expansion programme.

The group will be undertaking the construction of new container terminals and acquiring machineries and equipment to cater to a growing volume since the economic recovery last year.

To date, it has completed almost 70 per cent works on the first 300 metres for Container Terminal 6 (CT6) which is scheduled to be ready by the third quarter this year.

The reclamation of 11 million cu ft required for CT6 and CT9 as well as phase one of the expansion is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"We will then immediately continue with the construction of another 900m of quay length. This new terminal will have additional 11 cranes and is capable of handling 18,000 TEU vessels," said chief executive officer Ruben Emir Gnanalingam in Kuala Lumpur.

"The expansion is timely to accommodate to vessel growth as shipping lines now are building 18,000-TEU vessels. It is important that the port provides the capacity before the ships are put into service, " he said.

Yesterday, Westports announced the appointment of AmInvestment Bank Bhd and Maybank Investment Bank Bhd as the joint principal advisers, lead arrangers and managers for the 20-year sukuk musharakah programme of up to RM2 billion in nominal value.

The group had recently completed its maiden issuance of RM450 million sukuk under the sukuk musharakah programme.

"This sukuk programme gives flexibility to Westports to raise funding for our current and future expansion. The group has been able to improve its rating position to "AA+" in 2008 and continue to remain in this position till today," said Ruben.

"We are glad our papers are high in demand by investors. It indicates that Westports has a strong ability to repay on a timely basis," he added.

This year, the company targets to handle 6.2 million TEUs, about 12.7 per cent more than the 5.5 million TEUs it handled last year, on the back of a recovery in global container throughput volume.

About 70 per cent of Westports container volume is in transshipment category and this division is expected to continue to grow as the economy sees more business activities coming from the region especially China.

Port Klang growth plan on course
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2011/06/27
http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/pka2/Article/

Port Klang: The Port Klang Development Master Plan completed in April outlines a new site for port expansion as well as detailed proposals on the redevelopment of its third port, Southpoint.

The redevelopment of Southpoint, however, is by far a done deal as PKA Planning & Development Department Manager V.S.Vijay explains, the Master Plan identifies redevelopment options for Southpoint.

"As consultants they (Orion and GHK) have given their view and the points to consider for option A and B. What we are doing now is studying both the options. We are also seeing which one will benefit the government as well as the private sector, not jeopardising the interest of any party. It should be a win-win situation," PKA Planning & Development Department Manager V.S.Vijay told Business Times on the redevelopment of Southpoint recently.

Southpoint is currently leased out to Northport.

It is mainly used for conventional domestic and coastal trade serviced by vessels plying along the routes between Port Klang and the ports in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.

Northport's lease on its main terminal and Southpoint is up for renewal in 2013.

PKA is currently evaluating Northport's privatisation proposal.

While Port Klang is not facing a capacity crisis now, it could hit its limit in five to 10 years with continued double-digit growth in throughput.

Port Klang handled a combined throughput of 8.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2010, 12 per cent higher than 2009.

The first master plan for the port was from 1990-2010, however by the year 2000 it was already outdated.

It was then left to terminal operators, Northport and Westports to decide on their capacity requirements.

Some 11 years later PKA chartered another roadmap to take the country's busiest port through the next 20 years.

The master plan not only took into account the internal competition between the two terminals, Westports and Northport, the federal ports but also regional competition from ports in Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

PKA's general manager Kee Lian Yong declined to identify the site it has earmarked for port expansion.

Initiated by Kee in September 2010, the master plan is the product of consultants Orion Maritime Sdn Bhd and GHK Hong Kong Ltd.

The board of PKA is set to meet on June 29 to endorse the 20-year roadmap.

'RM1b deal signed later to develop entire zone'
2011/07/01
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/13bon8/Article/

SHAH ALAM: Port Klang Authority (PKA) entered into a supplementary agreement with Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) to develop the entire Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project for an estimated RM1 billion.

Witness Fazilah Surkisah Mohammad told the Sessions Court that instead of developing the project in two phases, with the first phase costing RM400 million, PKA signed the supplementary agreement a year later dated March 27, 2004 with KDSB to develop the entire PKFZ for RM1 billion.

Initially, the first agreement dated Feb 27, 2003 stated that KDSB was to develop the first phase of PKFZ for RM400 million in three years from the date of commencement.


"But on March 27, 2004, PKA signed a supplementary agreement with KDSB upon the advice of a consultant to develop the project in one phase," said Fazilah when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Dzulkifli Ahmad yesterday.

"PKA agreed to appoint KDSB as a developer on a turnkey basis to undertake the designing, building, completing and financing of the project."

She said the project excluded professional fees and chargeable interest and was subject to the final costing prepared by KDSB and agreed to by PKA.


"If these were added, the total repayment would be RM1.3 billion."

Fazilah was testifying at the trial of three senior executives -- former KDSB chief operating officer Stephen Abok, former KDSB project manager Law Jenn Dong and architect Bernard Tan Seng Swee of BT Architect -- who were charged with cheating.

Stephen and Tan claimed trial to two counts of cheating PKA by making false claims amounting to RM5.42 million on July 31 and Sept 21, 2007.


Tan and Law also face 24 counts of cheating PKA to obtain payment of RM116.85 million to KDSB involving two projects between June 30, 2006 and May 30, 2008. They claimed trial. Stephen, Law, and Tan also claimed trial to 24 alternative charges of cheating OSK Trustees involving payment of RM116.85 million to KDSB for two projects at PKFZ between June 30, 2006 and June 20, 2008.

Stephen and Tan also pleaded not guilty to two other alternative charges of cheating OSK Trustees by dishonestly inducing OSK Trustees into believing that the 33kv system to Precinct 2 and Precinct 8 for the PKFZ project had been implemented between July 31, 2007 and Oct 8, 2007.

This action had prompted OSK Trustees to make payment of RM5.42 million to KDSB.

Fazilah said PKA also signed two other supplementary agreements for additional works for the project.

"The first was signed on Nov 30, 2005 between PKA and KDSB amounting to RM510 million.

"The second agreement dated April 26, 2006 was for additional work costing RM335 million."

Fazilah said KDSB was obliged to send a notice of payment for repayment to PKA by producing a progress report of work done and other supporting documents to prove that the amount was due and payable.

Cross-examined by counsel Tan Hock Chuan, who is appearing for Law, Fazilah agreed that when PKA purchased the land from KDSB, it was stated in the Sales and Purchase Agreement that KDSB would be the turnkey contractor.

Hearing before judge Asmadi Hussin continues today.

Port Klang, PTP move up global top 20 ladder
By Rupa DamodaranPublished: 2011/07/11
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/rup1000c/Article/index_html#ixzz1RmlPSPWo

PORT KLANG: Malaysian ports have moved up the ranking for global container handling volumes last year, according to axs-alphaliner.com, a worldwide liner shipping reference.

Port Klang moved up from 14th to 13th spot with 8.87 million Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) while Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) moved up a rung to 16th place with 6.54 million TEUs.

In the case of Port Klang, Westports contributed 5.57 million TEUs.

Global container handling volumes recovered strongly to reach an estimated 560 million TEUs in 2010, a record increase of 14.5 per cent compared to the year before.

"Volumes have largely recovered from the loss suffered in the year 2009 when overall port throughput fell by 8.9 per cent, the first-ever annual drop recorded in the industry's history,"it said.

The highest growth was posted by Chinese ports which grew by 17.9 per cent last year, followed by South American ports which grew by 17.6 per cent.

Total container volumes handled in China (including Hong Kong) rose to 169 million TEUs, or 30.1 per cent, of last year's global total, up from 29.3 per cent the year before.

China now account for nine of the world's Top 20 ports, with most of the main Chinese ports recording faster growth than ports in other regions.

Forty eight of the Top 50 ports registered volume gains in 2010, with only two suffering minor losses. An average growth of 15 per cent was recorded by these main ports.

For 2011, growth is expected to moderate to 8.4 per cent as volumes return to more sustainable levels with Chinese ports again expected to lead the gains this year.

Volumes handled by the main global stevedores grew in line with the overall market and China-based stevedores achieved the highest gains.

Hutchison Port Holdings regained its global lead among the port operators, with total volumes rising by 14.9 per cent to 75 million TEUs last year.

Second-placed APM Terminals fell behind as it posted a below-average growth of only 2 per cent to an estimated 70 million TEUs.

Ship in ‘Transformers’ movie docks at Port Klang
By TEH ENG HOCK Monday September 5, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/9/5/nation/9428134&sec=nation

PORT KLANG: American aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, seen in the movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is in town.

The vessel made a scheduled port call yesterday, with 5,000 sailors and dozens of fighter jets on board.

Although the USS John C. Stennis, also called the CVN-74, had served in various operations in Afghanistan and other hotspots, and responded to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Indonesia, the ship is better known for its cameo appearance in several movies.

Besides Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, in which the carrier was seen in the film's final battle in Egypt, the 15-year-old ship had also appeared in the movies Executive Decision and The Sum of All Fears, as well as in an episode of television series NCIS.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/9/5/nation/n_16sten_a.jpg

Rolling out: The USS John C. Stennis with 5,000 sailors and
dozens of fighter jets on board in Port Klang yesterday.

“It was in October 2008 when they filmed Transformers on board. (The director) Michael Bay, (actor) Shia Lebouef and everyone was here.

“We were off the coast of San Diego, and they spent about a week filming,” said the ship's public affairs officer Cindy Fields.

It was a hectic time, recalled Fields, as the sailors and air wing personnel were preparing for deployment.

“So we had them filming on one end, while tankers were taking off to refuel our jets which were in mid-air,” she said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/9/5/nation/n_16air.jpg

The fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (centre) offloading cargo onto the
Nimitz-class carrier and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Dewey during
a replenishment at sea.

Lt Jesus Uranga, who was not around during the filming, said one of the crewmen even boasted that he was Optimus Prime.

“He told me he was holding on to a high pole on the flight deck. The movie producers later superimposed Optimus Prime over the pole using CGI (computer generated imagery),” he said.

Rear Admiral Craig Faller, who is commander of Strike Group Three, which includes the USS John C. Stennis and a few destroyers, said he was very happy to visit Malaysia and would exchange views with his Malaysian counterparts.

“We are proud of our equipment, but we are most proud of our crew,” he said.

He added that the average age of the crew was 26, with those on the flight deck averaging only 21 years of age.

Capt Ronald Reis, commanding officer of the USS John C. Stennis, said the United States would like to have regular visits to Malaysia.

Shell to expand refurbished Westport Terminal
Published: 2011/09/12
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110912170738/Article/index_html

Shell Malaysia will expand the newly refurbished Westport Terminal with an additional three new storage tanks and cargo pipelines to cater to growing demand for fuel and future growth in the Klang Valley.

Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, Azman Ismail said the expansion work, set to commence in November, illustrates the company's confidence in Malaysia's growth potential for its downstream retail business.

"We expect the expansion work to be complete by the fourth quarter of next year. "The three storage tanks will be of 15 million litres each in terms of size while the pipeline will be sized adequately," he told reporters at the official opening of the refurbished Shell Westport Terminal in Pulau Indah, here today.

The liquid bulk terminal currently delivers 1.67 million litres of petroleum products per day and operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

"With the additional tanks, we will be delivering 2.5 million litres easily," Azman said. At present, the terminal spans 10.1 hectares (25 acres) and has six storage tanks.

Last year, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd signed a 14-year sub-lease agreement with Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd at Port Klang for storing, supplying and distributing petroleum products.

The refurbishment work began in December last year and was completed in early May this year with operations beginning the very same month. Following the launch, Shell Malaysia has a total of 16 liquid bulk terminals nationwide.

Earlier this year, Shell Malaysia announced a RM5.1 billion investment for 2011 in multiple projects, including expansion of the Shell Middle Distillate
Synthesis wax plant in Bintulu, a new diesel processing unit at the Shell Refinery in Port Dickson and the Gumusut deepwater development offshore Sabah.

The top market leader in retail, the company currently caters to one-third of Peninsular Malaysia and half of East Malaysia's petroleum retail market
requirements, serving over half a million customers daily at over 900 retail sites nationwide.

"We will do whatever investment necessary to maintain and strengthen the number one position in the retail business, locally," Azman added. -- Bernama

Port Klang
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjesamdyunos/with/4770915760/
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4770915760_3f07051f4b_b.jpg
Westport
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5265915288_a882fb35b1_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chocobo-voyage/5265915288/
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/137771064_0beb397956_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueship/137771064/)
Port Klang Westport (http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueship/137771064/) by Blue Ship (http://www.flickr.com/people/blueship/), on Flickr

Ports on a steady course
By Presenna Nambiar and Zaidi Isham Ismail Published: 2011/09/14
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110907191435/Article/index_html

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/pcm/pix_middle

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's two busiest ports, Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas, have been left largely unscathed by the slowdown in commerce.

Both ports handled about 84 per cent of total container volumes that went through Malaysian ports in 2010.

The Business Week magazine reported in August that commerce on the Asia-to-Europe route, the world's second-busiest container route, rose 4.2 per cent in the second quarter. The growth is the weakest since the end of 2009, according to England-based Container Trade Statistics Ltd.

According to Port Klang Authority (PKA), which oversees both Westports and Northport, overall container trade grew by 8 per cent to 6.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for the first eight months of the year.

While there was a slight drop in exports in July and in imports in August 2011 compared to the previous year, the drop is deemed negligible or insignificant.

About two-thirds of containers that go through Port Klang are bound for Asean, Far East and South Asia.

About 10 per cent are Europe-bound while 2 per cent are US-bound.

Port Klang is projected to handle 9.4 million TEUs in 2011. Last year, it handled 8.9 million TEUs.

"Total container volume handled at Port Klang reflects that Port Klang could meet its projection," the port regulator said in response to e-mailed questions.

MMC Corp Bhd, however, while not expecting PTP and Johor Port to be adversely affected by the global economic slowdown, is anticipating slower transshipment growth for the year.

The conglomerate owns both PTP and Johor Port.

MMC Corp group managing director Datuk Hasni Harun told Business Times in an interview recently that it expected slower transshipment growth of between 3 and 4 per cent this year compared with between 6 and 7 per cent in 2010.

PTP saw container throughput rise by 16 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2011 to 3.6 million TEUs.

Transshipment contributed more than 90 per cent of total containers handled in PTP for the first half of this year.

The port has set a target of 7.5 million TEUs this year. PTP handled 6.3 million TEUs in 2010.

Glenn Marine pitches for new port
By Presenna NambiarPublished: 2011/10/25
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/3port-2/Article/index_html#ixzz1bmvLKAPR

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/3port-2/pix_middle

Kuala Lumpur: The owner and operator of the Port Klang Cruise Centre (PKCC) in Pulau Indah has come up with a proposal to convert the country's first cruise terminal into Port Klang's third container port.

Port Klang Authority chairman Datuk Teh Kim Poo told Business Times that owner-operator Glenn Defense Marine (Asia) Sdn Bhd (GDMA) had submitted its proposal to the port authority.

GDMA bought over PKCC from Star Cruises Terminal Sdn Bhd for RM118 million in 2009. GDMA is part of the Glenn Marine Group of Companies which is partly owned by Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT).

"They have shown us the proposal, we did our studies and found that it was a good idea. We have no objections, but it's up to them to get the approval of the Ministry of Transport," he said.

When asked why the location was not considered in its 20-year master plan, Teh said the idea of converting the cruise terminal into a container port had not come about then.

The Port Klang Development Master Plan 2010-2030 commissioned late last year in effect had identified five locations, which did not include the PKCC site.

These were Pulau Che Mat Zin, Klang Bar Channel, Old Klang Bar Channel, Pulau Carey and Kampung Batu Laut.

Industry players have questioned the need for a third port considering there is room for expansion in Northport and Westports.

Teh, however, begged to differ, saying land for expansion at the two ports were limited.

"Westports has land for further development but this is land owned by Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam in his personal capacity, we cannot consider that in our plans," Teh said.

PKCC is parked under Glenn Ports and Cruise Terminal in the group. Its chief executive officer Brian Paul did not respond to e-mailed questions as at press time.

PKCC, which started operations in December 1995, is the first purpose-built modern dedicated cruise terminal in Malaysia.

Hotel chain opens in Port Klang
Wednesday November 16, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/11/16/central/9888996&sec=central

http://starstorage.blob.core.windows.net/archives/2011/11/16/central/naresh.jpg

It’s official: (From left) Lim, Best Western International Area Representative-
Malaysia managing director Naresh Mohan, Western Capacity Sdn Bhd
executive director Tan Tiang Lai and group sales and marketing director–
Malaysia Jonathan Badman.

Best Western International has announced a new hotel known as the Best Western Plus in Port Klang.

The 139-room project is scheduled to be opened in 2015.

The project is a 31-storey tower with contemporary glass facade.

The hotel reception lobby is located on the ground floor whilst the sky lounge, fitness center and swimming pool are located on the 18th floor.

There are also 90 ‘small office variable office’ suites available for the local and international business travelers.

“We are thrilled to announce this exciting collaboration. Best Western International is a chain with 4,000 independently-owned and operated hotels around the world.

“Best Western Plusis suitable for Port Klang as it is a Free Trade Zone and surrounded by other international business development at 1Gateway.

“Foreign and local businessmen will find it convenient and comfortable to stay in and will enjoy the right ambience for conducting business,” said Lagenda Erajuta Sdn Bhd executive director Lim Thiam Huat.

“1Gateway is the latest and arguably the most exciting new development located on 7ha of prime land with two towers and a built-up area of more than 400,000 sq ft.

“Strategically speaking in terms of location, product and brand expansion, this is a valuable addition to Best Western’s growing Malaysian portfolio” said Best Western International vice president international operations for Asia and the Middle East Glenn de Souza.

The new property should enhance the value of all leading international and regional fashion boutiques, franchised restaurants and cafes, hypermarket, banks, business corporations and leisure ventures at 1Gateway.

For details, visit www.bestwestern.com

Westports (www.westportsmalaysia.com/) plans RM3.2bil investment
Wednesday February 22, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/22/business/10781167&sec=business

PUTRAJAYA: Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd will invest RM3.18bil under its expansion plan to further improve the port’s capacity, executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam said.

He said the expansion plan includes the 160 ha (400 acres) land reclamation project expected to be completed by next year and the construction of four container terminals slated for completion in 2016.

“We already have five container terminals now. The sixth terminal is under construction and we will move to seventh (terminal) next year, eighth and ninth (terminal). We have four more terminals to complete.

“Now, we are handling 6.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and it will increase to 11 million TEUs by 2016,” he told reporters after signing a RM318mil facilitation fund agreement with the government, Bank Pembangunan Malaysia and Westports for a land reclamation project in Port Klang.

The agreement signed by the Prime Minister’s Department Public Private Partnership Unit director-general Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa and Gnanalingan will provide RM318mil facilitation fund to Westports for the project.

The signing was witnessed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Public Private Partnership Unit Fund Section director Raja Muhammad Azhan Shah Raja Muhammad.

Nor Mohamed said the facilitation fund was important to expand Westports as about 80% of the nation’s exports and imports used the port’s facilities.

“This is a success that all of us should be proud of. We should not be satisfied (with what we’ve achieved so far), instead we should strive to do more using our strategic assets that we have to scale greater heights in this transport hub.

“To do this, we have to reclaim land, make dredging and etc.

“With government assistance, facilities at Westports can be expanded and we can get revenue from ships using the facilities,” he added. — Bernama

wow..nice picture of Port Klang...:nuts:

Third terminal necessary, says Glenn Marine CEO

By SHARIDAN M.ALI
sharidan@thestar.com.my

source:http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/1/17/business/10273260&sec=business

Tuesday January 17, 2012

PETALING JAYA: There should not be any issues to develop a third terminal in Port Klang in view of the probable capacity constraints to handle the expected increase in movement of goods in five years.

Glenn Marine Group Malaysia chief executive officer Brian Paul said the company had already submitted a proposal to the Government to develop a container port with 1.5km wharf at Port Klang Cruise Centre on Pulau Indah with an estimated cost of RM1.5mil.

“We plan to take advantage of our land with good seafront, natural depth waters and location to develop a port with annual capacity of three million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs),” he told StarBiz.


“But, if everything goes well with government approvals, we will initially concentrate on the first phase of the project with an estimated cost just below RM1bil.

“The project now is at various stages of government approvals.”

He said the company planned to finance the project via a combination of shareholders' equity and bank borrowings.

According to a news report on Monday quoting sources, the third port plan hit a snag at the approval stage and efforts were being made to ensure the plan was on track.

Additionally, on Jan 6, there was also a report that some quarters in the Port Klang fraternity were against the idea of having a third container port.

Nevertheless, Paul said Port Klang's future annual capacity, including all the expansions in hand, was expected to only grow to around 16.5 million TEUs in less than five years.

“With total handling volume of 9.5 million TEUs last year and the average trend of 10% annual container growth, the capacity will be quite saturated in five years and this was only a base-case projection.

“Thus, a third container terminal will put the country at an advantage with the extra capacity to support the import and export activities,” he said.

Port Klang, the main and largest maritime gateway of the country, is supported by the operations of two container ports giants, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Northport (Malaysia) Bhd.

Port Klang Authority chairman Datuk Teh Kim Poo said that Port Klang would surely have to look for extra capacity after 2017.

“I welcome the plan to have a third port as it will be private initiatives that will not include any investment from the Government. Moreover, there will be no land-lease process involved as Glenn Marine owns the land as well.

“I think it will create a healthy business environment for the terminal industry in Port Klang,” he said, adding that the maritime industry in Port Klang should first prioritise national interest.

Teh, who was recently on an official visit to the Singapore Port, said the Port Klang fraternity should take Singapore Port as an example.

“The Singapore Port, which has three times more volume than Port Klang, is also busy with expansion for extra capacity. I don't see why Port Klang shouldn't do the same,” he said.

Teh also confirmed that the plan was currently going through various stages of approval.

Paul said that previously people were also opposing the idea of having a second port in Port Klang and south of Johor.

“But, look at the port now. It has flourished and created a lot of job opportunities,” he said.

Likewise in this specific project, Paul said the third port could churn out a lot of other economic activities in this part of Pulau Indah.

On other details of the port, Paul said it would be designed to cater to ultra-sized modern container ships such as the Triple-E.

The Triple-E ships of Mearsk Line are the world's largest and most efficient container vessels with capacity of 18,000 TEUs each.

“We have a natural depth of 15m that could accommodate this type of vessels. We only need to have taller cranes to lift the containers,” he said.

Glenn Marine is a holding company with subsidiaries that manage its two main businesses of marine logistics and cruise terminals. It also owns and manages the Port Klang Cruise Terminal.

Port Klang - Malaysia's largest container ports
Selangor
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjesamdyunos/with/4770915760/

Port Klang Free Zone Complex - Westport

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Port Klang - North Port
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5001/5265308065_87ac3e6d9b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chocobo-voyage/5265308065/)
2. Port Klang, Malaysia 006 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chocobo-voyage/5265308065/) by chocobo-voyage (http://www.flickr.com/people/chocobo-voyage/), on Flickr
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5126/5265915288_a882fb35b1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chocobo-voyage/5265915288/)
2. Port Klang, Malaysia 004 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chocobo-voyage/5265915288/) by chocobo-voyage (http://www.flickr.com/people/chocobo-voyage/), on Flickr

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/rup020d/pix_bottom http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/westopo/pix_bottom
Third terminal to complement Northport, Westports
By G.Shankar Published: 2012/05/05
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/portt/Article/

THE planned third terminal is expected to complement the existing two ports, Northport and Westports, and attract more shipping lines to Port Klang.

Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairman Datuk Teh Kim Poo said the third terminal, to be sited at the current Port Klang Cruise Centre Terminal in Pulau Indah, will help draw in vessels that are currently bypassing Malaysia and heading to Singapore.

Teh added that if the terminal development materialises, the plan to build a full-fledged third port at Pulau Carey will be rendered needless.

The third port project has been opposed by numerous quarters due to its expected exorbitant construction and land costs.

"Port Klang will surely have to look for extra capacity in the near future as demand would exceed capacity at the existing Northport and Westports areas in a few years.

"I feel if Northport and Westports oppose the construction of the third terminal, they are merely trying to protect their market.

"However, I can assure you that apart from helping to meet growing demands, the third terminal will also create a healthy business environment," Teh said.

"In the last one year alone, I recall two incidents where ships which had not completed their unloading were forced to leave due to heavy congestion at the port. This third terminal will help curb such incidents in the future," he said.

Teh said another reason the PKA welcomed the development of a third terminal is because it is a private initiative and did not require any government investments and land-leasing processes.

"The land in question is privately-owned. Apart from playing a major complementary role, the third terminal will also create plenty of job opportunities," he added.

The third terminal, with a 1.5km wharf, is expected to cater to an annual capacity of three million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers.

The development cost is expected to be around RM1.5 billion.

The terminal will be designed to cater to ultra-size modern container ships such as the Triple-E, which is the world's largest and most efficient container vessel with a capacity of 18,000 TEUs.

"Plans for the development of the third terminal are currently going through various stages of approval," Teh said.

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Port Klang - Malaysia's largest container ports:
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrer4dkOewqcx74tb80leZsvh-Lc33OX0Mo6UfNZPq0gThMGlO

as requested by someone: Voyager at Port Klang

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8gsiutrmhl5ee10/_GAP8741.JPG

awesome, right? Note the land in the background is the land proposed for 3rd terminal in Port Klang

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ohIV8UuVvuI/SOna9MNuTEI/AAAAAAAAABo/FgEAOKsP65o/s320/KlangMap.jpg
Port Klang
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjesamdyunos/with/4770915760/
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4770915760_3f07051f4b_b.jpg


Westports projects growth in 2013 despite gloomy economy
Posted on 18 November 2012 - 05:37am
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/542956

PORT KLANG (Nov 18, 2012): Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, operator of the country's busiest port, still projects growth in its business for next year despite the gloomy global economy.

Its chief executive officer, Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, said despite the global economic crisis and news of the European economy in recession, consumption worldwide was still increasing.

Therefore, he said, Westports' cargo volume was still increasing due to the rising demand especially in India and African and West Asian countries.

"Although the economic outlook is not so good for most of the world, consumption is still increasing and cargoes need to move from the countries that manufacturing them to countries that consume them.

"So there is still a lot of growth," he told Bernama in an interview.

Westports' core business is container operations and its major clients are CMA CGM group, China Shipping and United Arab Shipping Corp.

Ruben Emir said Westports was confident of handling seven million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of container cargo this year.

"I think we have already hit six million TEUs this week, so with one more million TEUS before year-end, I think we should be almost touching it," he said.

He said last year, Westports handled 6.4 million TEUs and in 2010 it handled 5.5 million TEUs. However, Ruben Emir said, Westports hoped to achieve eight-10 million TEUs once its additional 300m berth and 600m berth were completed by 2014.

"Currently, the port handles about 70 per cent of the overall container volume at Port Klang.

"Westports' businesses are divided into two parts namely, local cargo, handling Malaysian import and export and transhipment cargo on international business," he said.

He said currently the transhipment cargo contributed about 70 per cent to its revenue.

Westports is one of two ports in Port Klang with over 4,000 employees and expects to increase to 4,400 employees by 2014. – Bernama

Westports sees boom in 2013
Published: 2012/11/19
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/westports18/Article/index_html

WESTPORTS Malaysia Sdn Bhd, operator of the country's busiest port, expects to see growth in its business for next year despite the gloomy global economy.

Its chief executive Ruben Emir Gnanalingam said despite the global economic crisis and news of the European economy in recession, consumption worldwide is increasing.

He said Westports' cargo volume is growing due to rising demand in India and other African and West Asian countries.

"Although the economic outlook is not so good for most of the world, consumption is increasing and cargoes need to be moved from the countries manufacturing them to countries that consume them. So there is a lot of growth," Ruben Emir said.

Westports' core business is container operations and its major clients are CMA CGM group, China Shipping and United Arab Shipping Corp.

He said Westports is confident of handling seven million TEUs of container cargo this year.

"I think we have hit six million TEUs and so, with one million TEUS more before year-end, I think we should be almost touching it," Ruben Emir said.

Last year, Westports handled 6.4 million TEUs.

However, he said Westports hopes to achieve eight to 10 million TEUs once its additional 300m berths and 600m berths are completed by 2014. Bernama

PKA upbeat on port position in global container league
Published: 2013/01/03
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/port02/Article/index_html#ixzz2HARjhkmj

KUALA LUMPUR: Port Klang Authority (PKA) is confident of maintaining Port Klang's 13th position in the World Container League based on last year's performance.

PKA general manager Captain David Padman said in 2012, Port Klang's capacity increased by about two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and a capacity increase is anticipated for this year with wharf 18 in Westports, which will be commissioned in January and wharf 8A, Northport, in July.

"With this increase, Port Klang is poised to cross the 10 million TEUs mark and projected to handle 10.4 million TEUs", he said.

Last year, Port Klang registered a 4.1 growth in handling containers with a total of 9.9 million TEUs.

Northport handled 3.08 million TEUs, while Westports handled 6.91 million TEUs in 2012.

Northport handled 1.74 million TEUs of indigenous boxes and 1.34 million TEUs of transshipment boxes, while Westports handled 1.95 million TEUs of indigenous boxes and 4.96 million TEUs of transshipment boxes.

"In total, Port Klang handled 3.69 million TEUs of indigenous boxes and 6.30 million TEUs of transshipment boxes," Padman said in a statement.

According to PKA, Port Klang's positive growth was due to its efficient and productive terminal operators, strong support of its shipping, logistics community and major shipping lines that have made Port Klang as their hub, as well as the port's supply-driven facilities with a container handling capacity of 14 million TEUs per annum and enhanced state of art handling equipment.

Additionally, it said the strong cooperation and coordination between the port authority and private terminal operators Northport and Westports have made Port Klang's continuous marketing and promotion strategies a resounding success.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ohIV8UuVvuI/SOna9MNuTEI/AAAAAAAAABo/FgEAOKsP65o/s320/KlangMap.jpg

Eco-friendly cranes for Northport
Published: 2013/01/07
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/NORTHPORT/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: Northport (Malaysia) Bhd has acquired environment-friendly terminal handling equipment for its container handling operations as part of its business and port expansion plans.

Northport chief executive Abi Sofian Abdul Hamid said the purchase of 13 units of Electric Rubber Tired Gantry (E-RTG) cranes is part of the significant redevelopment and restructu-ring of its infrastructure as well as major upgrading of equipment and facilities.

"The redevelopment and restructuring of this 100-year-old port showcase Northport's commitment to serving its customers better and stay ahead of the competition," he said.

The E-RTG cranes are fully powered by shore power and equipped with the latest drive technology that will produce cleaner and efficient methods of operation. Movement is performed using energy-saving electric motors, which are inverter controllers.

Abi Sofian said by adopting the new technology, Northport is expected to reduce the fuel cost significantly, since the E-RTG energy consumption cost is only 35 per cent of a diesel-powered RTG.

"We believe these cranes will increase our operational efficiency and productivity in an eco-friendly and responsible way."

Delivery of the cranes is expected to complete by May 2013.

Meanwhile, Abi Sofian said Northport's new Container Terminal 4 project is progressing on schedule. The construction of Wharf 8A is expected to be fully operational in July 2013.

Upon its completion, Wharf 8A will be able to berth vessels with deeper draft, which in turn will improve connectivity.

Container handling by Malaysian ports up 2.8pc in 2012
Published: 2013/01/21
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/hont/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: Container handling by Malaysian ports showed a growth of 2.82 per cent, or an increase of 569,252 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) last year.

In 2011, Malaysian ports handled 20,209,154 TEUs. Last year, the number went up to 20,778,406 TEUs.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha in a statement last Saturday said that last year, the container handling continuously showed positive growth, despite the lack of demand from China and the bleak economic environment in Europe.

This success, he added, was due to the strong sustainable economic growth in Malaysia and the strong intra-Asian trade.


"In addition, the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), launched by the government in strategic areas of the nation, has acted as a catalyst to induce the positive performance of container handling in Malaysian ports," the minister said.

Kong said the proactive measures undertaken by ports in Malaysia to ensure a first-class delivery system through upgrading of port infrastructure and the relationship management with the industrial and trade sectors, has attracted many shipping companies to select Malaysian ports as their port of choice.

He said Port Klang retained its status as the number one container handler in Malaysia.

Last year, Port Klang handled 10 million TEUs in comparison to 9.6 million in 2011, an increase of 4.2 per cent.

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) came in second with the handling of 7.72 million TEUs, compared with 7.5 million in 2011, an increase of 2.9 per cent.

Containerisation International has ranked Port Klang and the PTP as 13th and 17th respectively for 2009 to 2011 based on global performance. Bernama

http://www.malaysialand.com/Agriculture/WestPort-Teluk-Gong.jpg
http://www.malaysialand.com/Agriculture/WestPort-Teluk-Gong.jpg

Westports starts construction of new terminal
Published: 2013/04/30
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20130430120902/Article/index_html#ixzz2Rw0SkDpO

Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd expects the first 300-metre berth of its 600 metre Container Terminal 7 (CT7) to be completed in December this year.

The port operator said the remaining 300 metres would be completed by early next year, together with the delivery of seven Quay Cranes and 42 rubber-tyre gantries (RTGs) to support the new facility.

"We have also completed the construction of the last 300 metres of the CT6 in April, taking our total container quay length to 4,000 metres and overall handling capacity to 9.5 million twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs).

"This augurs well for our target of handling 7.4 million TEUs in
2013, a growth of seven per cent from to 6.91 million last year," it added in a statement today.

Chief executive officer Ruben Emir Gnanalingam said when the CT7 is ready, it would give the port the capability to handle the 18,000 TEU class vessels.

"The completion of CT7 will take the port's overall container berth length to 4,600 metres, supported by the seven new Quay Cranes which will be the tallest of such in the world, to handle the 18,000 TEU class vessels.

"This additional quay length will increase Westports handling capacity to 11 million TEUs a year," he added.

Ruben said with the berth depth of 17.5 metres, Westports would always stand out as one of the few ports in the world with the deepest berth depth to accommodate the biggest vessels in the world.

Westports Malaysia, the operator of Westports in Port Klang, expects its container volume to grow by 7-8 per cent annually for the next five years.-- Bernama