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A new state-of-the-art container terminal at Northport, Port Klang, is now
ready – well ahead of its schedule – to specifically cater to the
requirements of mega carriers now emerging in the global liner scene calling
at a select few global hub ports.
The new terminal, which will enhance the total handling capacity of
Northport, to about 4.25 million TEUs, is designed not only meet the
requirements of longer berth and deeper draft of the mega carriers, but is
also equipped with the new generation shoreside gantry cranes with longer
outreach and capable of working at faster speed.
The new terminal (CT3) is a show-piece facility that is benchmarked against
exacting global ship and container handling standards and guarantees
shipping lines a high and consistent level of service.
According to Northport (Malaysia) Bhd’s General Manager for Engineering, En
Ahmad Masod bin Hj Dol Jaba, the mega carriers calling at CT3 can be assured
of a fast loading and discharging speed.
“Since we will be handling more of these post panamax container ships, we
have taken all the measures needed to assure very high standards in the
handling of the ships which call only at a few select ports in their global
route,” he said.
In the recent years, as part of its drive towards greater efficiency and
economy, major liner companies have been deploying bigger container ships
which offer greater economies of scale by lowering unit costs.
The completion of CT3 is viewed timely by the shipping industry as Northport
has already started handling some of the largest container ships in the
trade in response from the demands from the industry.
“We are indeed happy that we are able to respond to the requirements of the
industry and the confidence shown by these lines speak volumes of our
capability and capacity,’ added Ahmad.
In particular, Northport, which is the home to one of the world’s largest
liner alliance – the Grand Alliance, is expected to handle an increasingly
number of the long range mega carriers deployed by the shipping group.
The Grand Alliance comprises P&O Nedlloyd, Hapay Lloyd, NYK and Malaysia
International Shipping Corporation Bhd. All member lines are committed to
deploying bigger ships to meet the requirements of the trade and retain
their market share.
P&O Nedlloyd recently deployed its latest largest of the mega-sized
container carrier – the 8,450 TEUs P&O Nedlloyd Mondriaan - to Northport and
would be deploying three more ships of the same class drawing a weight of
100,000 dwt, in the Far East Europe trade lanes jointly with other partners
in an alliance.
Besides P&O Nedlloyd and OOCL, the other members of the Grand Alliance, NYK,
Hapag-Lloyd and MISC will also deploying their bigger capacity ships over
the next two years.
With the completion of CT3 – which draws 540 metres of quay line- Northport
offers a total berth length of 2.9km container quay line.
The landside development at CT3 involves a 20-acre backup area that will
offer 1,400 total ground slots (TGS). |
