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Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the operator of
Westports in Port Klang, expects its container
volume to grow by 5 per cent in the next 10
years, as it celebrates its 15th year in
business.
"Container volume grew by 9 per cent in the last
10 years, with a jolt in 2008/2009. Looking at
the current world economy, to have 5 per cent
growth in the next 10 years is the best we can
look forward to," Westports executive chairman
Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam told Business Times via
an email interview.
Westports celebrated its 15th anniversary on
September 10 2009. Gnanalingam said he is
confident that Westports will be able to meet
its 4.5 million TEUs target by the end of this
year.
"We are quite confident of sustaining this
volume and of course will try to achieve 5
million TEUs by 2010," he added.
Gnanalingam also said in the last 15 years,
Westports has not only managed to become among
the top five ports in the world in terms of
productivity, but assisted Port Klang in
becoming the 15th largest port in the world,
handling some 8 million TEUs (20-ft
equivalent-units).
He said one thing ports can learn, after having
to contend with the economic crisis, was that it
needs to be prudent in terms of expansion
capacity.
"However, we will continue to be supply driven
and efficient to attract more shipping lines. As
the 17th largest trading nation, we not only
need efficient ports, but also more shipping
lines to take our cargo."
Source: NST
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