KUALA LUMPUR: A top official of a global real estate consultancy envisages Kuantan Port to emerge as a key logistics and trade hub for Malaysia, leveraging its strategic location and connectivity via the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
Knight Frank Malaysia group executive chairman Sarkunan Subramaniam said that the port can be a strategic gateway linking largely underdeveloped East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia to global markets.
He said the 665-kilometre ECRL -- as a crucial land bridge spanning from Kota Bharu to Port Klang -- provides a vital overland corridor that positions Kuantan Port as a major entry and redistribution point for cargo bound for the West Coast.
"You now have a land bridge that allows goods delivered at Kuantan Port to be transported to Port Klang for re-export. This overland connectivity via the ECRL enhances Kuantan’s value in the national logistics network.
"The largest port on the East Coast is Kuantan. It is not just a regional port anymore,” he told Bernama today.
When asked about calls to extend the ECRL to the Thai border, he said the proposal warrants a detailed feasibility study, especially in terms of potential economic impact and technical compatibility.
"The ECRL supports both passengers and freight, with a key cargo link between Kuantan Port and Port Klang.
"Extending it into Thailand needs to be evaluated based on whether it brings meaningful economic benefits, particularly for cargo, since passenger transport is already supported through other land links,” he added. - Bernama
