|
Based on its performance in the first half of this year, Westport will be on
track to record another double-digit growth for year 2004.
Container traffic at the port on Pulau Indah in Port Klang, recorded 10.5
growth totaling 1.26 million TEUs in the first half of this year.
A total of 19 new services started in the first half of this year.
China Shipping Container Lines has added three new services and CMA, Norasia,
Goldstar, United Arab Shipping Company, Lloyds Triestino, Regional Container
Line, OOCL, MSC and Johan Shipping also mounted additional services during
the January-June period of 2004.
The port is targeting to surpass the five million TEUs mark by 2008.
Currently CMA, Hanjin Shipping, Evergreen, Norasia, Gold Star and China
Shipping Container Lines and Gemartrans are major seven carriers that have
largely fostered the growth of the port.
These seven carriers handled in access of 1.7 million TEUs, or close 75 per
cent of the Westport Container traffic in 2003 totalling 2.3 million TEUs.
CMA, the single biggest client lifted a total of 600,000 TEUs last year.
This followed by China Shipping Container Line handled 250,000 TEUs and
Evergreen with 230,000 TEUs last year.
The port recently announced that it was recording crane productivity of
30-32 moves per hour and targeting 35 moves per crane/hour.
The other attraction that is going to spur Westport growth is the 1,000
acres of 'Free Trade Zone' at Pulau Indah which is scheduled to start
operation within the next two years.
The future growth will come from existing clients that continue to pledge
their alliance and support with additional services. |
