Westports executive chairman Datuk Ruben Gnanalingam.
KUALA LUMPUR: Westports Holdings Bhd
sees resilient global trade and regional shipping trends driving future demand, according to executive chairman Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam.
“The US economy remained resilient despite trade tariffs, whereas the region’s demand for container handling remained strong due to a container shipping alliance restructuring.
“At Westports, we anticipate favourable demand for container terminal handling facilities by the time the Company commissions the expanded container terminal CT10 into service in 2028,” he said in a statement.
In the second quarter ended June 30, the port operator’s net profit rose 13.7% to RM231.6mil, or 6.79 sen per share, bringing its first-half (1H25) earnings to RM454.1mil, or 13.32 sen per share.
Revenue for the quarter jumped 25% to RM691mil, lifting total revenue for the first six months to RM1.31bil.
During the first half of 2025, Westports handled 5.57 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with intra-Asia trade accounting for 61% of the total volume.
Its conventional segment facilitated 5.71 million metric tonnes of bulk cargo, supported by notable growth in the dry bulk segment.
Westports operates around the clock with a workforce of 5,600 employees. Operational staff costs remain the company’s largest cost component, rising by 8% during the period.
In addition, Westports said payments to the port authority have increased following the commencement of the extended supplemental privatisation agreement on Sept 1, 2024.
Westports has declared a first interim dividend of 9.93 sen per share for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2025, amounting to RM338.61mil. This comprises an electable portion of 1.99 sen and a cash portion of 7.94 sen per share.
