WESTPORTS Malaysia Sdn Bhd is in talks with Port Klang Authority (PKA), to build a multi-purpose berth to help increase the port's occupancy rate.

"Talks are still in the early stage, we have to verify the volumes as well as to find out the types of ships that will be using the facility. (Nevertheless), we are prepared to build it," said executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam in Port Klang yesterday.

Although the cost of the berth is not finalised, Ruben said the berth could cost about RM60 million.

It is believed that the lack of the berth is one of the main reasons why companies like Technip, Dialog and many Middle Eastern oil and gas companies are not entering the port.
"It's important to make Port Klang a gateway to Malaysia - being nearest to Europe-bound shipments. If we don't make it now, we stand to lose to Vietnam and in in the next 20 to 30 years, India as well as Africa," said Port Klang Authority chief executive officer Lim Thean Shiang in a Business Times report two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Ruben said Westports is on track to hit its year-end container throughput target of five million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units). It achieved about 4.2 million TEUs in 2007.

"The momentum is going strong, and there are no signs of slowing down," he said.

For the first six months this year, it achieved 2.45 million TEUs, a 17 per cent increase, compared with 2.08 million TEUs during the same period last year.

He was speaking to the media after the launch of G-Mart store, an in-house grocery store, to help staff cope with the current increase of food prices.

The store, which has a built-up area of about 2,200 sq ft, allows employees to buy selected essential products like dairy products, diapers, cooking oil and rice at wholesale prices.

"The items to be sold initially will be rice, cooking oil, flour, milk powder and beverages. These are commonly used items and will be increased based on staff feedback," Ruben said.

The NST, 02.08.2008