Port Klang: Port Klang is setting its sights on handling 15 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers this year, marking a 2.3 percent rise from 2024. Transport Minister Anthony Loke has attributed this ambitious target to robust domestic economic growth, ongoing infrastructure advancements, and an uptick in cargo driven by both the manufacturing and logistics sectors.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Loke highlighted that supportive government policies, particularly in the logistics sector, are contributing to this goal. He made these remarks during a press conference following the Port Klang Authority's Chinese New Year celebration and the inauguration of the Malaysia Maritime Single Window (MMSW) at the KSL Convention Centre.
Last year, Port Klang achieved a container handling volume of 14.64 million TEUs, which represents a 4.5 percent increase from 2023 and accounts for approximately 47.7 percent of Malaysia's total container handling. Loke praised this as a historic milestone for Port Klang, which has been operating since 1973, and extended congratulations to the Port Klang Authority, Northport, Westports terminals, and other stakeholders in the logistics industry.
In his remarks, Loke emphasized that Port Klang's achievements reinforce its status as a vital regional logistics hub, supported by a robust global shipping network. He noted that Port Klang is likely to ascend to the 10th position in the World Container Port League, surpassing competitors like Rotterdam and Hong Kong, although official rankings will be released in the coming months.
In tandem with Port Klang's success, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor is also expected to climb to 13th place globally, having handled 12.2 million TEUs in 2024. Malaysia's total container handling volume rose to 30.68 million TEUs last year, an 8.6 percent increase from 2023.
In other noteworthy developments, Loke announced the nationwide expansion of the MMSW System, which will be fully implemented at Port Klang by June 10, 2024. Between June 1 and December 31, 2024, the system processed 10,682 ships for arrival and departure procedures across Malaysian ports.
Loke stated that the MMSW system has significantly enhanced the efficiency of ship departures through digitalization, reducing both workload and bureaucracy. The Ministry of Transport plans to broaden the MMSW system's capabilities in its second phase to include container management, focusing on movement tracking and monitoring.