Executive Chairman of Westport Holdings

I would first like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Chairman of Klang port Authority, Dato Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh on the conferment of the Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak Award by the Sultan of Perak last week, which caries the titles ' Dato Seri'.

It is also my pleasure to welcome all of you here this morning to witness the officiating ceremony of Westport's CT3 wharf. This event marks another milestone in the development of the company's blueprint plans.

One month ahead of schedule, the handling over of CT3 outlines Westport's business strategy to be supply driven rather than demand led.

Since it's launch in 1994, Westport has flourished to become a facility to be reckoned with not only within the region but throughput the world. This we see in the steady increase in vessel calls which has exceeded by more than 400% since 1996, from a mere 80 calls in 1996 to 2584 calls in 2000. 

Westport also recorded growth averaging 126% since it began container handling operations in 1996, handling one million TEUs in its first 10000 days of operations. Last tear the terminal went on to perform the phenomenal ' 1 million in one year' achievement.

In light of these opportunities, Westport's expansion plans were aimed to remain competitive by ensuring that it has the necessary capacity, efficiency and reliability.

Ladies and gentlemen, the result of these expansion plans is the very wharf you are standing on today. The 600 meters wharf length, bringing the total wharf area to 2000 metres, is further augmented by the full complement of equipment necessary to remain supply - driven.

Construction on 60 acres of back - up yard space to support the container activities at the wharf side is also currently underway increasing the port's total storage capacity to 3.3 million TEUs placing Westport well on it's way into the top league of container terminals around the world.

Once again I thank you for taking time to be with us this morning as we celebrate this phase of expansion which aims to expand Westport into a 'Megahub' center providing efficient and reliable deepwater berthing and handling services in the region.