PORT KLANG: By year-end, Port Klang is set to become one of the world’s top 10 busiest ports, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the indicators pointing to this included an increase in the export and import of goods this year.
Port Klang rose two places from 13th position in 2022 to 11th last year in Lloyd’s List of the world’s top 100 ports, he added.
“Port Klang had a 6% increase (export and import) in the first half of this year and we are certain that the growth will continue,’’ Loke told a press conference after launching the Haulier Industry Training and Professionalism Programme at Northport here yesterday.
Also present was Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
Loke said he was confident that the target could be achieved given that Malaysia had a strong government, stable politics and investor-friendly policies, which is attracting many companies to set up factories here.
“We also practise open trade policies with the United States, Europe and China.
“This contributes towards the increase in the port’s productivity as well as supports trade value, which is supported by a very encouraging export and import industry,’’ he said.
He said the Hong Kong port was currently at 10th place on the list but its trend was decreasing while Malaysia’s was increasing.
“We are confident ours will continue to grow and at the end of the year, there is apt to be an increase in the export and import activities here,’’ Loke said.
He said the onus was on the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to ensure port operations were managed smoothly without problems, such as congestion and operational roadblocks, adding that when roadblocks were sorted out, productivity would increase as vessels could efficiently and quickly call at the ports, offload and upload, and go on their way.
“Many ports are facing congestion, if Port Klang can settle this problem and function better, of course they will come to us as a transhipment hub of choice,’’ he said.
On the programme, Loke said it was to train haulier truckers in obtaining the E and D licences.
“The drivers, especially those driving prime movers, will be provided free training to help them obtain these licences so that they can work in the port sector.
“There is a shortage of haulier drivers not only in the ports but also outside,’’ he said.
The programme is an initiative by the Human Resources Ministry through the Human Resource Development Corporation in collaboration with the Transport Ministry, PKA and other relevant port authorities.
