WESTPORT aims to increase rail services in and out of the terminal once the double tracking project started by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) is fully completed.

There are currently twice-daily train services to the port, running from Johor in the south and Bangkok in the north.

"We will be able to offer services all around the country once the double tracking project is completed. We also aim to provide services to minor ports.

"It is our hope that more boxes will be transported between the two countries once the landbridge project between Malaysia and Thailand is completed," said Westport executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam.

He added that Westport currently handled about 70 boxes a day via railway to and from Bangkok.

"At this moment, 70 boxes a day is a good amount for us to be carrying," said Gnanalingam, who last week witnessed the arrival of the first five units of the DE-AC 33C Blue Tiger locomotives purchased by KTMB.

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Chan Kong Choy, KTMB chairman Tan Sri Thong Yaw Hong, KTMB managing director Mohd Salleh Abdullah and General Electric Transportation System (GETS) president (South East Asia) Stuart Dean.

Gnanalingam said Westport had the facilities and experience to receive the new high-powered trains.

"Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd commissioned us to deliver their avant garde locomotives last year, so we are more than happy to deliver the Blue Tiger trains for KTMB this year," he said.

"Another plus point for us is that the rail siding, which will be used to transfer or relocate the locomotives to KTMB, has been maintained in mint condition. Our stevedores have also proven to have excellent experience in handling these unique set of cargo," Gnanalingam added.

With a 3,300 horsepower capacity, each of the five locomotives are capable of carrying 2,500 tonnes of trailing load or the equivalent of 30 wagons while achieving a speed of 120km/hr, compared with the current locomotives with a capacity of 17 wagons.

The second batch of locomotives, to arrive in a unit of four, will arrive at Westport in early November. The remaining 11 units will arrive in batches of seven and four units in December.

The locomotives, manufactured in Kassel, Germany, will be used to transport bulk and high tonnage cargo, such as cement.