Port Klang aims for 20 million TEUs

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

Port Klang Authority chairman Datuk Dr Teh Kim Poo said the authority was also in the midst of obtaining relevant approvals to deepen the existing channels to 18 metres. “This would make Port Klang competitive and a preferred choice for our customers,” he said at a logistics forum and exhibition here yesterday.

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

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

Meanwhile, Wesport can handle 14 million TEUs after container terminal six is completed this year. “Today, Port Klang handles almost 50% of Malaysia’s sea-borne container trade,” Teh said, adding that ports in the country handled about 20 million TEUs last year.

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