Logistics
Northport on track to meet target
By Kang Siew Li, Business Times
Sep 26, 2006, 09:34

Northport (Malaysia) Bhd said it remained on track to meet its forecast for a 5 per cent lift in container throughput this year, fuelled by growth in transshipment and local cargo traffic.

The port is expected to handle 2.76 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) this year from 2.63 million TEUs in 2005.

"We hope to meet the targets set out earlier. We may not experience double-digit growth as we used to, but we are quite happy with what we have achieved to date," Northport managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Basheer Hassan told reporters at the launch of MISC Bhd's new "Halal Express" service from Northport to the Middle East recently.

Local laden containers (indigenous cargo) currently constitute 65 per cent of the total containerised cargo handled by Northport, while transshipment traffic (cargo not originating from or destined for Malaysia) accounts for the remaining 35 per cent.

In the first half of 2006, Northport handled some 1.3 million TEUs, up 18 per cent from the 1.1 million handled in the same period last year.

Basheer said the port is looking forward to better earnings and container throughput heading into the first quarter of 2007. "There will be positive changes for Northport".

"At this point in time, it is not yet confirmed, but we think there will be new (shipping) services calling at Northport. We are working on this, and we reckon that there will be a significant change after the restructuring of the various shipping lines," he said.

"Most shipping lines are in the midst of planning for 2007, and through their appointed non-vessel operating common carriers and freight forwarders, they are renegotiating leases and terminal charges with various ports across the country, including Northport.

Meanwhile, Basheer declined to comment on Northport's chances of getting back its market share in the Port Klang container market from Westports this year.

Westports took over the pole position in Port Klang last year with a 53 per cent share, and Northport holds the remaining 47 per cent.

This year, Westports expects to handle a throughput of 3.6 million TEUs from 2.91 million TEUs in 2005.

"Based on the results for the first half of this year, we may exceed the target," said a Westports spokesman.

From January to June 2006, Westports recorded a 21 per cent growth over the previous year to reach 1.7 million TEUs from 1.4 million TEUs.

Port expects a 5 per cent lift in container throughput this year, fuelled by growth in transshipment and local cargo traffic.

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