MALAYSIA Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) will extend its i-port transhipment operations to Westport of Port Klang by next month.Pengangkutan Kargo Udara MAS Sdn Bhd (PKUM) general manager Hassan Abdul Rahman said the company, a subsidiary of MASkargo, is currently installing computers and the system before commencing operations.

"We have signed an agreement with Westport to set up the office to implement the i-port logistic services at the port."We just need to put computers to start-up the system. We hope to be able to start the programme in two weeks' time," he said after a media conference to announce the successful arrival of 16 engines of Formula Nippon cars in Sepang yesterday.

MASkargo, the cargo unit of Malaysia Airlines has been appointed as the handling agent for the Formula Nippon race.

First implemented at Northport in December 2002, the i-port programme allows movements of cargo from regional destinations to Malaysian ports via sea and delivery to worldwide destinations by air through MASkargo's Advanced Cargo Centre at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.

The new service offers a viable alternative for shippers. For example, instead of sending cargo to Amsterdam directly by ship, shippers can send the cargo to Westport and have it flown from KLIA at a reduced cost and time. Hassan said MASkargo decided to operate- the i-port services at Westport to capitalise on the growing logistics demand at the port.

Through the i-port, he said, goods from Westport can go directly to KLIA, without having to go through Northport. "Consumers can also trace where their shipments are and heading to at all MASkargo offices. They are also able to make a MASKargo's reservation through the i-port," he said.

Apart from Northport and Westport, the i-port programme has been implemented in Kuantan Port and Port of Tanjung Pelepas. "We will also extend the i-port services to Penang port, which is currently undergoing renovation; "As soon as renovation works at Penang port are completed, we will connect the port online with all our offices via the i-port programme," he said. Hassan said the company has invested about RM20 million to develop and implement the i-port programme, using its home-grown MASGO system.

On MASkargo's sponsorship for the Formula Nippon race, he said the company is investing some M350,OOO for the sponsorship.MASkargo is fully sponsoring the shipment of car engines for the Malaysian leg of the Japan championships, scheduled from September 17-19.

MASkargo, ranked among the top three air cargo carriers in Asia, is the primary airline for sport shipments such as Formula 1, MotoGP and the KL Horse grand prix.

The NST, 16 September 2004