PORT Klang handled a record-breaking container volume of 13.64 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) as of Dec 28 this year, surpassing its record of...
PORT Klang handled a record-breaking container volume of 13.64 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) as of Dec 28 this year, surpassing its record of 13.58 million TEUs in 2019, despite the many challenges of Covid-19 including the spillover effects of container shortages, port congestions and adverse weather conditions.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that the government has taken a proactive step to facilitate the Malaysian ports and logistics sector during the pandemic by ensuring that it continues to grow to meet the demands of the domestic and international markets.
“For e-commerce platforms’ consumers, several economic stimulus packages have been introduced to speed up the distribution and delivery process including the launch of a vaccination programme for port and logistics sector workers in June 2021,” Wee said in a statement yesterday.
He noted that much of the success is a result of the commitment and concerted efforts of logistics players and government agencies in Port Klang led by the Port Klang Authority.
“Terminal operators in Port Klang, namely Northport and Westports, are handling additional volumes with excellence by optimising available resources and relying on increased use of digitisation to overcome various challenges,” he said.
With the gradual reopening of the global economy in 2021, Wee said that the number of container operations handled at Port Klang has regained its momentum.
“As of November 2021, total imports recorded a growth of 5.8% compared to the performance in January to November 2020, while exports saw a growth of 4.8% and transhipment increased by 5.6%,” he added.
Although the recent floods have had a significant impact on port operations, Port Klang’s daily container handling volume is expected to reach 13.75 million TEUs by the end of the year — an achievement since its operations in 1973.
“The outlook for 2022 remains optimistic about future growth given Port Klang’s competitive advantage as a leading logistics hub in Asia, its strategic geographical location coupled with the government’s proactive policy which is expected to further strengthen the logistics industry,” he further said.
Source: Malaysian Reserve
Hellenic Shipping News — 03 Jan 2022