Reviewing Malaysia’s port operations in the Covid-19 era

A file photo of Tanjung Pelepas Port in 2016. Early in 2020, the port deployed technology that will optimise its berth planning operations, thereby increasing berth productivity and reducing operating costs. — Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd

Malaysia’s port sector has progressed over the last 50 years and now comprises 30 major and medium-sized ports spread along more than 7,000km of the coastlines of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. The large number of ports is primarily due to the country’s strategic location.

The west of Peninsular Malaysia borders the Straits of Malacca, which saw a transit of 83,740 ships in 2016 – 33% of which comprised container ships. East of Peninsular Malaysia borders the South China Sea – ships pass through the area to reach the Straits of Malacca, and it is also an area traversed by a great number of vessels engaged in trade between littoral states and the Pacific Ocean.