West Port, Malaysia

Last updated
Aerial view of the multi-cargo terminal on Pulau Indah in 2023. Aerial of Selangor 2023 17.jpg
Aerial view of the multi-cargo terminal on Pulau Indah in 2023.

Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Kelang Multi Terminal Sdn Bhd) is a multi-cargo terminal located on Pulau Indah, Port Klang, Malaysia [1] which is accessible by road via Pulau Indah Expressway, connecting to the KESAS Highway. On 1 October 2013, Pulau Indah was directly connected to the Malaysian Administrative Capital, Putrajaya via the South Klang Valley Expressway. [2]

Contents

Westports is the first port in Malaysia to have a fully automated operation system. [1] It handles all types of cargoes in containers, breakbulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, vehicles (roll-on roll-off) and other conventional cargoes. Located along the straits of Malacca, Westports, collectively with Northport as Port Klang, has become the 18th busiest seaport in the world.

Ruben Gnanalingam is the company's CEO.

History

During privatisation by the government of Malaysia in the early 1990s, Port Klang was subdivided into 3 terminals which are now known as Northport, Southpoint and Westports. Westport, the newest of the three private terminals, [3] was given a 30-year concession with an additional 30 year option by the government at RM 3 billion. [4] It began operations in September 1994 in a smaller scale before later expanding. [5]

Kelang Multi Terminal Sdn Bhd, the original name of the operator of Westport, is a consortium consisting of Pembinaan Redzai, Advance Synergy Berhad, Semakin Ajaib, Lembaga Urusan Tabung Haji and Permodalan Negeri Selangor, the investment arm of the state of Selangor. [4]

Starting out as Kelang Multi Terminal Sdn Bhd in 1994, renamed as Westport Sdn Bhd since 1997 and now known as Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the seaport terminal has played a leading role in Malaysia's efforts to provide storage, bunkering, cargo/freight handling and other port related facilities which add to Malaysia's importance as a link in the global maritime trade. Westport is aimed at the Indian shipping community, enticing them to choose Westport over Singapore's as the trans-shipment hub of Asia. [4]

The first of its two box terminals started operations in March 1996, [1] with the second expected to be opened in June and the third in December. [4] The first container had three berths in 600 metres, with the third having six. [4] All three terminals would have 19 berths, eventually becoming 32 berths when fully developed. [4]

Westport was launched on 10 September 1996, targeting 3,000,000 TEUs by 2000 and aim to be among the top 10 ports in the world. [6]

Many of the developments at Westport that were planned to be ready by 2000 began in 1994 and were completed shortly before the 1997 Asian financial crisis. [7]

Westport handled 120,000 TEUs in 1997. [8]

By 1998, it became the fastest growing container port in Malaysia, [8] thanks to the government's recommendation of shippers to use local ports and the continuous availability of empty boxes at the port. [3] It handled 162,000 TEUs between January and June 1998, compared to 38,000 TEUs from the same period in the previous year. [3] The other two ports, Northport and Southpoint, however, had weaker performance. [3]

In April 1998, Westport launched its own feeder service Westport Express Service to support the mainline operators and non-vessel operating common carriers using the terminal. One of their routes were from Penang to Westport and from Pasir Gudang to Westport. [7]

Sometime in 1998, Westport began adding a slag terminal and additional container yard. [7]

A 11.2 km single track line connecting Westport and the Port Klang station began operations on 9 December 1998, costing RM 383 million. Using block trains to carry logistics in the track line, it would operate four times a day. Each train will have a capacity of 60 TEUs. The track would be able to carry 14 trains per day. [8]

Located on the island of Pulau Indah (formerly Pulau Lumut), Westports have transformed the island's natural swamplands and sands into a multi-cargo seaport terminal. With the current quay length of 3.2 kilometers, which includes 5 container terminals, Westports are able to handle up to 7.5 million TEUs yearly, with the potential to expand to a further 4 container terminals which would give a total capacity of 15 million TEUs.

Port Services

Overview

Container
Container operations is the core business of Westports.

Facilities

Container Terminal

  • CT 1 - 40 acres (16 hectares)
  • CT 2 - 60 acres (24 hectares)
  • CT 3 - 60 acres (24 hectares)
  • CT 4 - 60 acres (24 hectares)
  • CT 5 - 60 acres (24 hectares)
  • 56 Quay Cranes (QC)
  • 214 Rubber Tyred Gantrys (RTG)
  • 273 Prime Movers (PM)
  • 25 Reach Stackers
  • 1,236 Refrigerated Points (Reefers)
  • 25,036 Total Ground Slots

Award

2010 - July Asia HRD Congress Award [9]

Related Research Articles

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) or Malayan Railway Limited, colloquially referred to simply as KTM, is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The railway system dates back to the British colonial era, when it was first built to transport tin. Previously known as the Federated Malay States Railways (FMSR) the Malayan Railway Administration (MRA), and the Malayan Railway, Keretapi Tanah Melayu acquired its current name in 1962. The organisation was corporatised in 1992, but remains wholly owned by the Malaysian government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klang (city)</span> City in Selangor, Malaysia

Klang or Kelang, officially Royal City of Klang, is a city, royal city and former capital of the state of Selangor, Malaysia. It is located within the Klang District. It was the civil capital of Selangor in an earlier era prior to the emergence of Kuala Lumpur and the current capital, Shah Alam. Port Klang, which is located in the Klang District, is the 12th busiest transshipment port and the 12th busiest container port in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Klang</span> Town in Selangor, Malaysia

Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Known during colonial times as Port Swettenham but renamed Port Klang in July 1972, it is the largest port in the country. It is located about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) southwest of the town of Klang, and 38 kilometres (24 mi) southwest of Kuala Lumpur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jurong Port</span> Singaporean Harbor

Jurong Port Pte Ltd is a port operator headquartered in Singapore. Jurong Port, which operates the only multi-purpose port in Singapore, handles bulk, break-bulk and containerised cargo. It handled over 40,000 vessel-calls annually in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Tanjung Pelepas</span> Port

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas is a container port located in Gelang Patah, Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia, and is part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, which holds a minority share in the joint venture. On 13 March 2000, the harbor held its inauguration ceremony, which was officiated by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chennai Port</span> Container port in India

Chennai Port, formerly known as Madras Port, is the second largest container port of India, behind Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port also known as Nhava Sheva. The port is the largest one in the Bay of Bengal. It is the third-oldest port among the 13 major ports of India with official port operations beginning in 1881, although maritime trade started much earlier in 1639 on the undeveloped shore. It is an artificial and all-weather port with wet docks. Once a major travel port, it became a major container port in the post-Independence era. An established port of trade of British India since the 1600s, the port remains a primary reason for the economic growth of Tamil Nadu, especially for the manufacturing boom in South India, and has contributed greatly to the development of the city of Chennai. It is due to the existence of the port that the city of Chennai eventually became known as the Gateway of South India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Savannah</span> Port in United States of America

The Port of Savannah is a major U.S. seaport located at Savannah, Georgia. As of 2021, the port was the third busiest seaport in the United States. Its facilities for oceangoing vessels line both sides of the Savannah River and are approximately 18 miles (29 km) from the Atlantic Ocean. Operated by the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), the Port of Savannah competes primarily with the Port of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina to the northeast, and the Port of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida to the south. The GPA operates one other Atlantic seaport in Georgia, the Port of Brunswick. The state also manages three interior ports linked to the Gulf of Mexico: Port Bainbridge, Port Columbus, and a facility at Cordele, Georgia linked by rail to the Port of Savannah. In the 1950s, the Port of Savannah was the only facility to see an increase in trade while the country experienced a decline in trade of 5%. It was chaired and led by engineer Dr. Blake Van Leer.

Johor Port is a port in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia, built in 1977. It is an integrated multi-purpose port facility providing bulk cargo, container and general cargo services. It is the world's largest palm oil terminal and ranks third globally in terms of LME cargo volume.

North Klang Straits Bypass, Federal Route 20, AH 141, is the main highway bypass to Port Klang in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. Federal Route 20 became the backbone of the road system linking Sungai Rasau to Port Klang before being surpassed by the New North Klang Straits Bypass 30. Many cargo trucks travel along the highway daily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Karachi</span> Deep-water seaport in Sindh, Pakistan

The Port of Karachi is one of South Asia's largest and busiest deep-water seaports, handling about 60% of the nation's cargo located in Karachi, Pakistan. It is located on the Karachi Harbour, between Kiamari Azra Langri, Manora, and Kakapir, and close to Karachi's main business district and several industrial areas. The geographic position of the port places it in close proximity to major shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. It is also ideally located to offer gateway services to the maritime trade for the Central Asian Republics (CARs). The administration of the port is carried out by the Karachi Port Trust, which was established in 1857.

The South Klang Valley Expressway, or SKVESouth Klang Valley Expressway, is an expressway in the southern part of Klang Valley, Malaysia's most densely populated region. This 51.7 km (32.1 mi) dual-carriageway provides links to the booming towns in southern Klang Valley, including the country's administrative capital, Putrajaya. South Klang Valley Expressway is the fifth east–west-oriented expressway in the Klang Valley after the Federal Highway, the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), the Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR) and the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulau Indah</span> Island in Selangor, Malaysia

Pulau Indah is an island in Klang District, Selangor, Malaysia with a population of around 20,000 people overall. Malaysia's largest port, West Port, Port Klang, is on the island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Klang Komuter station</span>

The Port Klang Komuter station is a train station in Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, operated by KTM Komuter. It is the western terminus, and name sake, of the Port Klang Line.

Tan Sri Datuk G. Gnanalingam was a Malaysian businessman. He was the executive chairman of Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia's leading port operators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MMC Corporation</span>

MMC Corporation Berhad is a Malaysian utility and infrastructure conglomerate, with diversified businesses under three divisions: Energy & Utilities, Ports & Logistics, and Engineering. Syed Mokhtar Albukhary is the company's biggest shareholder at 51%, while several government-linked investment companies own over 30%.

Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) is a 1,000-acre (4.0 km2) commercial and industrial zone established in 2004 in Malaysia. It is a regional distribution hub as well as a trade and logistics centre offering extensive distribution and manufacturing facilities. It is located along the Straits of Malacca, Port Klang, Klang, Malaysia. The PKFZ was previously managed by Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA). However, it was taken over and rebranded by a local company in 2007. The PKFZ offers various investment incentives to investors such as tax exemptions on most products and services, subsidies, allowing wholly foreign owned enterprises, free repatriation of capital and profits and incentives for research and development, training and export.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southpoint, Malaysia</span> Port in Selangor, Malaysia

Southpoint, Malaysia is a port in Klang District, Selangor, Malaysia. Called Port Swettenham under British rule, it was the only port in the area and was administered by Malayan Railways Limited. Today Southpoint has undergone massive rehabilitation and offers a range of facilities and services for the handling of a variety of cargoes; it is now one of three ports in the area, and has been administered by the Port Klang Authority since 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Klang Authority</span> Statuary board of the government of Malaysia

Port Klang Authority (PKA) is a government agency of Malaysia that facilitates, regulates and owns the country's most important port, Port Klang, on the Indian Ocean coast near the capital, Kuala Lumpur. The operation of the port facilities is carried out by independent corporations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTM West Coast railway line</span> Railway line in Malaysia

The West Coast railway line runs from Padang Besar railway station close to the Malaysia–Thailand border in Perlis to Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore. It is called the West Coast railway line because it serves the West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Penang</span> Port in Malaysia

The Port of Penang is a deepwater seaport within the Malaysian state of Penang. It consists of terminals along the Penang Strait, including five in Seberang Perai and one in George Town. The Port of Penang was the third busiest harbour in Malaysia in terms of cargo as of 2017, handling 1.52 million TEUs of cargo, as well as the busiest port-of-call within the country for cruise shipping.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Westport box terminal starts operations". Business Times (Singapore). 18 March 1996. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  2. "SKVE to boost Klang Valley's growth". Archived from the original on 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Westport's box volumes up 4 times in first half". Business Times (Singapore). 1 October 1998. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "'Build it and they will come'". Business Times (Singapore). 9 May 1996. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  5. "Third premier port aims to be one of world's top 10". The Straits Times. 13 September 1996. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  6. "Westport launched, Klang aims to be among top 10". Business Times (Singapore). 11 September 1996. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 "Economic crisis hitting hard". Business Times (Singapore). 8 May 1998. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 "Klang's Westport set for rail benefits". Business Times (Singapore). 8 October 1998. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  9. "Accolades / Recognition". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2010-09-24.

2°56′59″N101°18′27″E / 2.949834°N 101.307635°E / 2.949834; 101.307635