Malaysia’s ports are expected to see their container handling capacity this year growing by over 7.5% from 22.67 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) recorded in 2014, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The expansion is propelled by improving port competitiveness, rising exports, as well as strengthening ties with China, especially with the ongoing sister-port initiatives, said the minister.
“Port Klang Authority has had sister-port relationships with the Port of Ningbo and Dalian, and with the revival of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) initiative, they have embarked on establishing sister-port relationships with eight more Chinese ports—Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Beibu, Taicang, Shenzhen and Hainan,” he said, as quoted by Bernama.
“It is my wish that the 16 ports in Malaysia will follow up the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with appropriate plans of action to implement the various aspects of the MOU and to benefit from the MSR.”
The scope of the port alliance includes port studies, training and apprenticeship, technical assistance, exchange of information, traffic development, and promotion of services between ports.
Liow said Port Klang, the country’s premiere maritime gateway, has targeted reaching box traffic of 12 million TEUs this year, having already posted 11 million TEUs year-to-date.
Currently, Liow continued, Chinese companies have invested in maritime industrial areas in Port Klang and Kuantan, and jointly undertaken the development of a deep-sea terminal with Kuantan Port Consortium.
“Other partnerships have resulted in the proposed development of the Melaka gateway deep sea port and maritime industrial park,” he added.
Beside Peninsular Malaysia, Liow also encouraged Chinese companies to look at Sabah and Sarawak regarding further development of existing ports and maritime industrial parks.
On Malaysian’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), the official said the pact will provide the country with the twin benefits of attracting more foreign direct investments and increasing its competitiveness.
“TPPA will also boost demands for local contents and this will help small and medium enterprises,” he said.
Photo: Hafiz343 – self-made
