KCT HANDLES ITS MILLIONTH CONTAINER

Updated ..... November 27, 2000

 Northport's  Klang Container Terminal Bhd. has handled the equivalent of more than 1 million TEUs during 2000, KCT is the first port in Malaysia to surpass the 1 million container in a single year.

 KCT which commenced operations as a commercial entity in 1986 was the first privatized container terminal operator in Malaysia.

 The port which handled 241,182 TEUs in its first year of operation, has over the years seen strong growth pattern in terms of container throughput.

 Despite operation in an increasingly competitive environment in respect to container trade, KCT's  market share recorded over the past 14 years still makes it the front-runner in terms of volume handled.

 The Guest-of-Honour at the event in the Hon. Minister of Transport, Dato' Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik, who has been most closely associated with efforts to promote the port system in the country. Dato' Seri Ling has had a direct hand in the all-out efforts to promote Malaysian ports, initiatives taken in the past six years. This is the period which saw the country's largest port, Port Klang making rapid progress in its ranking amongst the world's top container ports in terms of the volume of containers handled.

 The high-profile role of the Minister was also felt in the efforts to sell Port Klang as a port for transhipment. From an obscure beginning with less than 15,000 TEUs of transhipment containers in 1994, Port Klang now handled more than 1 million TEUs of transhipment boxes a year.

 "We've had a tremendous year and we thank  everyone who contributed to this success" said KCT Managing Director En. Halim Harun.

 "By regarding this milestone of 1 million TEUs as another starting point, we will continue our untiring efforts to improve our service levels, always keeping in mind the principal of Customer First," he commented.

 "Now efforts will be concentrated to render improved services to customers with the enlarge range of resources and greater flexibility made possible through its operational collaboration with Klang Port Management Sdn Bhd. (KPM). " he added.

 KCT that started as a torch-bearer that pioneered privatization in the country's  port sector, attained another landmark achievement by being the first port to be list on the Main Board of the Kuala Lumpur  Stock Exchange (KLSE)  in 1992.

 With Malaysia's sea-borne trade identified to remain strong and buoyant, KCT has positioned itself to firmly  remain as one of the main gateways for the nation's international trade.

 "KCT's growth has been remarkable"  said KCT GM/DCEO En. Basheer Hassan. "The port, despite growing competition in Port Klang and regional ports, had the resilience and strength in maintaining its growth and holding to its position as the nation's main gateway".

 "I believe we owe much of this success to our customers and our entire workforce. The figure is an additional marker on to the continuing  path of success KCT has achieved over the years," he added.

 He said "The growing confidence level of shipping lines at KCT is clearly evident from the increase in the main line  calls at the port. In total we have registered 8 new services for the year 2000.

 KCT offers an all weather port fitted with the complete range of facilities and equipment comparable to those of the best ports in the world. Its list of clients include the top names amongst the world's leading shipping lines.