PETALING JAYA: The investment by Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd (SMT) to expand its Westport Fuels Terminal in Port Klang is a timely and strategic move, says Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
The Selangor Mentri Besar said the investment will boost capacity, improve efficiency and strengthen the resilience of the nation’s fuel supply chain.
He said the project will help ensure businesses continue operating smoothly while allowing Malaysians to go about their daily lives without disruption.
Amirudin warned that global supply chain shocks are beginning to expose vulnerabilities in Malaysia’s economy, underscoring the urgency to strengthen energy infrastructure such as the Westport Fuels Terminal expansion.
He added that while Malaysia has yet to feel the full impact of the disruptions, it is only a matter of time before they are felt, particularly for a trading nation that depends heavily on the smooth flow of goods.
“It is not a question of if but when.
“Without sufficient energy supply, especially for critical sectors like manufacturing and logistics, the economy can come to a halt,” he said during the project’s groundbreaking ceremony yesterday.
Amirudin said the situation also underscores the need for contingency plans, particularly for Selangor, which contributes over a quarter of the country’s gross domestic product and accounts for nearly half of peak energy consumption in Peninsular Malaysia.
With Port Klang situated along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, he said such developments will further cement Selangor’s standing as a key logistics, industrial and energy hub in the region.
He lauded the collaboration between the government and industry players such as Shell, saying it is crucial in safeguarding national energy security while sustaining economic growth.
The SMT expansion project will add three new gasoline and diesel storage tanks, allowing the facility to handle larger medium-range vessels and improve supply efficiency.
The project is set to begin this year in phases, with the upgraded terminal expected to be completed by early 2028.
The Westport terminal has been a key part of Shell’s supply network since 2010, supported by partnerships with port operator Westports and various industry stakeholders.
Meanwhile, SMT managing director Shairan Huzani Husain said the expansion comes at a critical time when energy security has become increasingly important.
“This project matters because what we do here at this terminal and others around the country impacts the mobility of millions of Malaysians every day.
“This groundbreaking ceremony marks real progress in our efforts to support national energy needs,” he said.
The expansion project will allow the facility to handle larger volumes of fuel, aimed at keeping supply reliable across the nation, he added.
Shairan said the investment also reflects Shell’s long-standing commitment to Malaysia, where it has operated for 135 years.
He said energy security is not optional but essential, and SMT is working alongside the government and national oil firm PETRONAS to ensure consistent fuel supply for motorists.
Shairan also highlighted Selangor’s importance to Shell’s operations, describing it as the state with the company’s largest footprint, accounting for about 20% of its mobility network.
“What we build here directly shapes how we serve Malaysians nationwide,” he said.
Shairan said the investment will help ensure the nation’s growing energy needs are met in a reliable and sustainable manner.
