Westports has reconfirmed its commitment to its planned container terminal expansion works following recent congestion, strong throughput and demand for container yard space.
The port operator, located in Malaysia’s Port Klang, said this reinforced the requirement for the planned mega Container Terminal expansion from CT10 to CT17.
Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, group managing director of Westports, concluded that “the surge in container throughput in the Second Quarter and strong demand for container yard space in the Fourth Quarter of 2020 reinforced the need for Westports to undertake the planned mega Container Terminal expansion from CT10 to CT17, upon reaching a new concession agreement with the Government”.
Existing investment
Mr Gnanalingam added: “In 2020, Westports invested and completed container yard Zone Z at CT9 at the cost of RM81 million. We have also converted a common yard area to become a container yard. Westports worked successfully towards managing the recent container yard congestion issue, which is a reflection of our ongoing commitment in reinforcing Port Klang as one of the main transhipment hubs in South East Asia for international container shipping alliances.”
Westports handled a slightly lower container throughput of 10.5m TEUs in 2020 as container volume and demand was affected by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns globally.
On a quarterly basis, container throughput was at 2.8m TEUs in Q4 2020. Many ports across the globe, including Westports, experienced above-average container yard utilisation and some yard congestion.
Westports invested RM323m in capital expenditure during the year, of which most were allocated to enhance its container and conventional operational capabilities. The newly completed container yard Zone Z at CT9, which cost RM81m, was immediately full utilised upon completion.
