The Star, 20th January - Port Klang Authority (PKA) is developing a 400ha distribution park similar to the world’s leading Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) in Dubai.

Work on the project in Pulau Indah has started and it will be carried out over a five-year period.

It will also enjoy the free zone status, PKA general manager Datin Paduka O.C. Phang said.

She said they were getting expertise from JAFZ to assist in the development of the project located near Westport in Pulau Indah.

Its commercial facilities would include bulk-breaking, sorting, grading, packing, repacking, labeling, relabelling, storage, transit and minor assembly.

Phang said companies would also be allowed to set up their premises at the zone and that the project would make Port Klang attractive as it has a leading cargo consolidation center.

Currently, there are Northport and Westport distribution parks and the new facility would have enhanced facilities including duty-free storage and sales tax exemption.

Phang also said that they were conducting to find out if the shoreline from Northport’s wharf 25 could be developed into berths for the port’s expansion.

“We are also conducting another study jointly with the Transport Ministry to find out the number of Malaysian cargo being hauled across the causeway to Singapore for shipment.

“There has been a reduction in Malaysians using Singapore port facilities to ship cargo as compared to five years ago.

“This is owing to improved services and our competitive port charges offered,” she said.

She said both Westport and Northport have been co-operating instead of competing to ensure that Port Klang registered higher growth.

She said the terminals were also investing on new equipment and facilities.

PKA chairman Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh said Port Klang handled 4.53 million TEUs last year.

He said the figure was excellent although it was still outside the top 10 world container ports.

Port Klang worked on 3.75 million TEUS in 2001.

“We are likely to be in the 11th or 12 position in terms of global container port ranking,” he told reporters after a PKA board meeting last week.

Dr Ting said they have projected to work on five million this year.

He said he was confident the terminals would be able to achieve the target because of the improved services, increased main line calls and enhanced productivity.