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The growth of the Malaysian economy, which expanded by a healthy 8.0 per
cent in the second quarter of the year, is fully reflected in the volume of
cargo handled by Malaysian ports.
According to Bank Negara report released last week, the second quarter
performance of the economy was exceptionally well, including as a result of
a strong showing by the services sector that expanded by 7.4 per cent in the
April-June period after a 6.2 per cent growth in the Jan-March quarter this
year.
The strong performance of the services sector that covers sub-sectors like
transport, warehousing and storage, is viewed as new driver of growth in the
largely trade-dependent economy.
In line with the expansion of the economy, total cargo traffic at principal
ports recorded 12.2 per cent growth to 145 million tones in the first six
months of this year, compared to 129 million tones handled during the same
period last year.
All major gateways, with the exception of Kuantan Port and Miri Port in
Sarawak, posted gains in the volume of total cargo handled.
Port Klang, comprising Northport and Westport, which handles the bulk of the
national trade, recorded 11.5 per cent increase totaling 48.20 million
tones, up from 43.20 million tones during the period under review.
Johor Port Authority, made up of Johor Port at Pasir Gudang and Tanjung
Pelepas Port posted an impressive 12.4 per cent expansion in the volume of
cargo handled totaling 41.44 million tones while Penang Port, the other
major port in Peninsular Malaysia registered 7.2 per cent growth totaling
11.04 million tones.
The decline in throughput at Kuantan Port by 6.9 per cent totaling 4.69
million tones was largely due to seasonal fluctuation in specific
commodities handled, especially steel and pipes.
Despite the reverses in total volume of cargo handled, Kuantan Port posted
an impressive 21 per cent increase in the volume of container handled
totaling abut 60,000 TEUs, reinforcing the port's position as a gateway port
for the eastern seaboard of Peninsular Malaysia.
Container traffic handling at PTP continued to make rapid strides with a
hefty 25 per cent increase totaling 2.0 million TEUs handled in the first
six months of the year.
Johor Port, the sister port of PTP, recorded 13 per cent increase in the
volume of containers handled totaling 393, 700 TEUs, bringing the total
registered at Johor Port Authority to 2.4 million TEUs.
Total container traffic at Malaysian ports recorded 16 per cent increase
totaling 5.7 million TEUs, an impressive 16 per cent increase. |
