PETALING JAYA: Penang Port recorded a total container throughput of 343,036 twenty-foot equivalent units in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26), which rose 4.88% year-on-year (y-o-y).
In the three-month period, both import and export container volumes recorded growth of 4.45% and 5.92% respectively, indicating continued vibrancy in regional trade activities.
The increase in overall container throughput also reflects industry confidence in the port’s operational efficiency and connectivity, according to Penang Port Commission (PPC) in a statement.
Penang Port is a member of the MMC Group, which is privately owned by billionaire Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary.
PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said Penang Port’s improved performance covered container, conventional cargo, cruise and ferry services.
On conventional cargo, Yeoh said total cargo throughput for 1Q26 rose 17.27% y-o-y to 8.55 million freight weight tonnes.
He noted that the growth was primarily driven by increases in general cargo, containerised cargo and liquid bulk, with general cargo throughput surging 52.61%, while containerised cargo and liquid bulk rose 19.32% and 15.86% respectively.
“The sustained rise in cargo volumes reflects strong confidence among businesses and shipping operators in Penang Port’s infrastructure, operational stability and service standards, further strengthening its role within the northern region and the wider regional logistics network.”
In terms of cruise operations, Yeoh said that a total of 372,903 cruise passengers passed through the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal during 1Q26, marking a 39.55% increase y-o-y.
Over the same period, the number of cruise vessel calls rose sharply to 201, representing a 336.96% increase compared with last year.
According to Yeoh, the continued growth in cruise activities has generated positive spillover effects for the local economy, particularly in tourism, retail, food and beverage, and transportation sectors.
Meanwhile, ferry services also recorded positive growth, with total passenger movements reaching 810,053 in 1Q26, an increase of 9.36% y-o-y.
Pedestrian passengers accounted for the most significant growth, highlighting the ferry’s importance in daily commuting and the urban transport ecosystem.
