Westports sees 2010 box throughput rising to 5.2 million TEU

WESTPORTS Malaysia Sdn Bhd, one of two terminals at Port Klang, expects to handle 5.2 million TEU this year, up from 4.5 million last year, according to its executive chairman Tan Sri Gnanalingam. Westports handled five million TEU in 2008.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers' National Export Conference 2010 in Petaling Jaya, he noted that the last few months has seen a growth in shipments on the back of the recovery of regional economies, a statement from Westports Malaysia said.

In terms of growth this year, Mr Gnanalingam said the main drivers would be China, India and the Middle East, markets that are expected to show the most demand for Malaysia's exports. Followed by Australia and South America, before Europe kicks in.

Malaysia's national news agency Bernama reported Mr Gnanalingam as saying Westports would continue to enhance facilities in the belief that Westports is "well-positioned for continued prominence as a major loading centre for South East Asia."

Mr Gnanalingam said: "We have five terminals now and will embark on the sixth terminal soon," adding that Westports has enough capacity to handle up to six million TEU annually.

He added that Malaysia's better-than-expected economic growth of 4.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2009 was also a good sign for the shipping industry to grow further, the report said.

(Source: Sea Trade Asia)