PORT KLANG: Port Klang is on track to secure a spot in the top 10 of the world's busiest container ports for 2024, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said the port had already made significant progress, climbing to 11th place in Lloyd's List of the top 100 global ports for 2023, up from 13th in 2022.
He said that Port Klang also showed positive indicators, with current container handling statistics for import and export trade showing an increase of 10.5 per cent compared to the previous year's container handling.
"In the first half of this year alone, Port Klang saw a 6 per cent overall increase. We are confident this growth trend will continue," he said during a press conference after launching the National-level Port and Haulier Industry Training and Professionalism Programme, here today.
To further boost productivity, Loke urged the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to expedite the resolution of any operational issues, allowing port operators to focus on their tasks.
"It's crucial to resolve these issues swiftly so that operators can be more efficient. We are not concerned about the number of ships arriving; rather, we need to ensure their turnaround time is swift.
"Efficient docking and unloading will enhance our status as a leading port, especially as other ports grapple with congestion," he said.
Loke attributed Port Klang's rise in the rankings to Malaysia's stable government and investor-friendly policies.
"Our open trade policies with major economies like the United States, Europe, and China have played a significant role in increasing port activity. Port Klang handles not only transshipment but also a substantial amount of local cargo, which drives our high export and import capacity," he said.
Last year, Port Klang, which includes Northport, Westport, and Southport, processed 14.06 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), reflecting a 6.3 per cent increase from 13.22 million TEUs in 2022.
Additionally, local import and export volumes grew by 8.4 percent, reaching 6.16 million TEUs, up from 5.68 million TEUs in the previous year.