CHINA Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) is aiming to register a lifting of 350,000 boxes at Westport next year, in line with growing trade between China and Malaysia.

The carrier also noted it was happy with Westport’s operational performance and hence was confident of achieving more growth at the terminal.

China Shipping (M) Agency Sdn Bhd director Tang Wan Jun said based on current figures, the line would exceed this year's projected handling of 280,000 TEUs at the terminal.

He said with China becoming an economic powerhouse and Malaysia being its largest trading partner in Asean, Westport would play an instrumental role in enhancing bilateral trade.

“In view of China being a strategic trading partner for Malaysia, CSCL plays an important role in providing the needs for shipping and handling of cargo via containers between both nations,” he was quoted as saying in Westport's Ripples bulletin.

Tang added CSCL would use Westport when the company expanded its fleet by eight more super post panamax vessels with a capacity of 8,000 TEUs. “Westport has improved over time and I am satisfied with its performance,” he said.