Westport Malaysia has increased its terminal capacity to 5 million teus per annum with the completion of its newest container terminal CT4. The new 60 acres of container terminal space and its wharf extension has been fully operational since the end of October 2005.
The completion of the new container terminal gives the port an additional 5,000 ground slots and 17,500 teus in stacking capacity. The port has extended its container terminal wharf length to another 600 meters giving it a total of 2,600 meters of container wharf length and 9 berths that can easily accommodate new gigantic vessels that will hit the seas next year.
Though the increase in capacity is vital to meet demand, but the ultimate trick of the trade still lies in productivity and fast turnaround. As such, Westport has made much improvement to both its ship to shore as well as land side activities. In line with the expansion the port has already extended its fleet of operation equipment by acquiring 2 super post panamax twin lifters, 6 rubber tyred gantries and 25 prime movers to heighten its productivity.
"To be supply driven we need to be continuously ahead of capacity, hence the expansion is indeed timely to meet the future demands of the industry. We have seen the exponential growth of the world trade and in Malaysia itself we have grown to 11.5 mil teus in 2004. And as 17th largest trade nation in the world, Malaysian ports play a crucial part in ensuring the smooth flow of the nation inventories." states Westport Executive Chairman, Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam
Productivity at Westport has always been its competitive edge and always will be. At present with the two new twin lifts in operation productivity has peaked to 35 moves per hours. In a recent development the Westport operation team made headlines by moving 80 teus in an hour, equivalent to 40 twin moves hourly. The port expects the delivery of two more twin lift quay cranes to arrive in the first quarter of 2006 to record even faster moves.
Complementing high ship to shore productivity levels, the port's haulier turnaround time too has made rapid progress by tremendously reducing turnaround time from 25 minutes to only 14 minutes to complete the entire gate in - gate out process. In addition, there also have been new developments at the Container Terminal Gate where four new lanes with two lanes equipped with weighbridges have been newly constructed to add to the existing ten lanes in view of ensuring smoother flow of traffic.
Remaining robust throughout the year, Westport 's container traffic has grown by 13% from 2.34 million teus last year to 2.62 million teus in the same corresponding period. The upbeat momentum of industry due to the trade boom between the East and West, particularly China and Europe have been the main drivers for boom in business. Westport which has already commenced 11 new shipping service for year 2005 promises shipping lines a better berth availability, and facilities at the terminal with the expansion. The growing capacity, excellent infrastructure and the quick turnaround time has earned the port the status of being key transshipment hubs to world top liners such as CMA-CGM, China Shipping Container Lines and Norasia.
The world has seen a phenomenal growth of containerization within the last twenty years. Container volume has grown from 20 million in 1980 to 230 million in 2000. This is expected to grow to 300 million by 2005, and even 700 million by 2020.To be able to capitalize on this growth, we need to have the capacity and the viability to be supply driven. At Westport we have achieved both," adds the executive chairman.
Boosted of recent expansion and upgrade of facilities, Westport is all geared to continue posting double digit growth and positive earnings momentum whilst sailing steadily into the New Year with full steam ahead!
The NST, 12.12.2005 |
