By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, March 29 – The development of the Pulau Carey port will not “cannibalise” the existing operations of Port Klang, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Foke.
In a written parliamentary reply, Loke said that the third port is meant to complement the operations of existing Port Klang operators, namely Northport and Westport.
“The third terminal does not pose a risk of cannibalisation that threatens the operations of Northport. Instead, the development of the third terminal is based on the principle of complementing Northport and Westport.
“For example, the first phase of the third terminal will focus on handling large-scale conventional cargo segments that cannot be accommodated at Northport due to its physical constraints. This will enhance the capabilities of Northport,” he said in a response dated March 27 to the question posed by Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali regarding the impact of the construction of the third Port Klang.
Loke further explained that both existing ports have unique advantages and challenges, necessitating the development of a third port to handle future demands.
“The ministry also expects that the development of the third terminal will have minimal impact on Northport, as it has been operating for 61 years and has its advantages.
“Firstly, Northport has a list of customers and tenants who have been operating there for a long time. These tenants have invested significant capital expenditure to strengthen their operations at Northport. Secondly,
“Northport’s proximity to industrial areas and city centres also gives it an advantage in the local market segment,” he said.
Loke explained that based on the study conducted by the Port Klang Authority (PKA), the third terminal would be developed in phases.
The initial phase would involve the construction of dry and liquid bulk terminals as Northport lacks new areas for port expansion, and the expansion plan for Westport does not include conventional terminal construction.
“Increasing the handling capacity at Port Klang and having good infrastructure facilities are among the crucial strategies of the country to provide a supply-driven environment to shipping companies.
“Viewed from a broader perspective, the integration of the third Terminal with Northport and Westport will strengthen Port Klang as a shipping hub, with container handling capacity nearing 70 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units),” he stated.
The capacity of Northport and Westport is, respectively, six million TEUs and 27 million TEUs (after the expanded container terminals are completed). In comparison, the third port is projected to be able to handle 36 million TEUs, based on the feasibility study.
