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The
installation of this equipment has been
well timed to coincide with the Malaysian
government's broader plan to generate economic
activity in the country. This has involved
attracting investors, developing economic
corridors and building infrastructure that
is hoped will result in increased trade
volumes, which will benefit local ports.
The
colossal investments in cargo handling capacity
could not have come at a more crucial time;
especially as container vessels continue
to get bigger in size, thus requiring deeper
drafts and longer berthing spaces.
Northport
chief executive officer Abi Sofian Abdul
Hamid, when speaking to the media, declared
in 2012 the port industry had to prepare
itself way ahead of industry demands and
developments.
"Ships
are getting bigger and are calling at fewer
ports. The dynamics of shipping trade is
changing at a faster pace than ever before.
Thus, we have to be ready to move in tandem
with all these changes with optimal efficiency.
"In
other words, we have to have available capacity
and facilities when trades and the world
economy pick up as it would take one to
two years for a port to construct a new
wharf.
"Shipping
lines, especially the bigger ones, are also
getting quite selective where port efficiency
remains an important factor. Trade connectivity
is another key element moving forward,"
he said, adding that the current slump in
the world economy and regional container
trade was only a temporary glitch that Northport
had to brace against.
Clearly
there is no lack of effort on the part of
Northport to prepare for the future.
It
is currently busy dredging to deepen and
broaden the channel access into the port
and is building a new wharf to be called,
Wharf8A.
With
the additional wharf and the channel deepening
now underway Mr Abdul Hamid said this will
allow for an additional 600,000 TEU in annual
handling capacity at the port.
It
will be some time before that capacity is
needed, but with growth in Intra-Asia traffic,
which will continue to bolster Port Klang's
volumes, the port is looking to ensure it
doesn't miss out when volumes do again pick
up on the mainline trades.
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