Penang: The government aims to elevate Penang Port from being merely a transshipment hub to becoming the primary homeport in the northern region, aligning with national efforts to bolster the maritime ecosystem.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Transport Minister Anthony Loke highlighted the potential benefits of this move, which include boosting port activities, expanding maritime services, and enhancing local economic impacts. Loke emphasized that the transport and maritime sectors are crucial to national development, facilitating international trade, driving industrial growth, and forming the backbone of the country's supply chain connectivity.
During his speech at the 70th Anniversary of the Penang Port Commission (PPC), Loke stressed the need for integrated policy planning and infrastructure development to maintain an efficient, competitive, and sustainable national port system. The event was attended by State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee Chairman Zairil Khir Johari and PPC Chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin.
Loke acknowledged the strategic role of Penang Port as a key gateway for trade activities, cargo movement, and support for the manufacturing and logistics sectors in the northern region. He noted the port's consistent, safe, and orderly operations as key contributors to investor confidence and the smooth movement of goods domestically and internationally.
He also pointed to the strong performance of Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in cargo handling volumes, noting Port Klang's status as the world's 10th busiest container port and PTP's 15th ranking. These serve as benchmarks for Penang Port to make strategic advancements in operations and services.
Additionally, Loke identified cruise shipping as a promising growth area, with the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal positioned as a main gateway for cruise vessels in the northern region, having handled over 700,000 passengers last year.
Currently, PTP serves as the country's main transshipment hub, handling 95 percent of container transshipment, while Port Klang remains the primary national gateway. Its capacity is expected to rise to 28 million TEUs with expansion. Penang Port, with a current capacity of 2.3 million TEUs, is projected to expand to 6.8 million TEUs by 2053, reinforcing its role as the northern region's gateway and supporting the significant industrial base in northern Malaysia and southern Thailand.