PUTRAJAYA: Port Klang in Selangor and Johor's Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) remain among the top 20 main and busiest ports globally, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Loke said Port Klang recorded the highest number of containers processed last year, with 14.06 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), compared to 13.22 million TEU in 2022.
PTP, meanwhile, processed some 10.48 million TEU last year.
“This mirrors Malaysia's bustling economy as an important component in the global supply chain,” he said at the ministry’s monthly assembly here on Friday (Feb 23).
Loke added that the ratio of transshipment cargo to indigenous cargo at Port Klang was at 55:45 last year, marking a positive development from 70:30 in 2014.
Transshipment cargo involves the process of transporting items from one ship to another while bypassing Customs, whereas indigenous cargo refers to items produced or obtained domestically.
“The higher the ratio of indigenous cargo, the higher its contributions to the local economy.
“Hence, the increase over the past 10 years shows the progress of Malaysia’s manufacturing, construction and services sectors,” he said.
He added that the aviation sector also recorded a 10.7% increase for international and domestic travellers in January compared with the same period last year.
A total of 81.9 million passengers were recorded at airports nationwide last year, the highest since the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Malaysia also currently has 147 aviation destinations compared to 121 destinations in 2022,” Loke added.
He said the 30-day visa-free period for Chinese and Indian tourists that came into effect in December 2023 resulted in a 32% increase in passengers at KLIA Terminal 1 in January (2024) over December.
“Despite facing many challenges, the expanding tourism sector will help contribute to the recovery of Malaysia’s economy post Covid-19,” Loke added.
The ministry’s monthly assembly also coincided with its Chinese New Year celebrations.
Present were Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and China's Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing.
