According to recent reports in the British media, the Malaysian government has formulated a short- and long-term strategy aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the country's major ports, namely Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas. According to the report, Malaysia's Transport Minister Luk Siew Hock said the strategy covers increasing port capacity, improving efficiency and productivity, and transitioning to low-carbon green ports.
In recent years, Malaysia through the expansion of ports, enhance the level of port digitalisation, the establishment of free trade zones and a number of other initiatives, vigorously develop the port economy, is committed to becoming a logistics hub in Southeast Asia.
Increasing port capacity through multiple initiatives
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun recently reported that Westports Holdings, the operator of Malaysia's largest port, Port Klang, will invest about $8.3 billion to double the container throughput capacity of Port Klang from the current 14 million TEUs to 27 million TEUs per year. In addition, Tanjung Parapas, the second largest cargo port in southern Malaysia, also has expansion plans.
According to the report, Port Klang is the second largest port in Southeast Asia after Singapore and the 13th largest in the world in terms of container cargo throughput. In addition to transhipment of goods from neighbouring regions, Port Klang is also a hub port for transhipment of goods between East Asia, Europe, the Middle East and other regions. With the continuous expansion of Port Klang, Westports Holdings will increase the number of container terminals for loading and unloading cargo from the current 9 to 17.
In recent years, the Malaysian government in actively expanding the port at the same time, but also vigorously promote the port digital, intelligent construction. According to Malaysian media reports, Malaysia's first artificial intelligence container port will be built in Negeri Sembilan's only seaport Port Dickson. Artificial intelligence technology will be applied to the port's ship entry and exit registration, ship movement scheduling and tracking of maritime operations around the port, helping the port's maritime and freight service chain to operate efficiently.
In addition, the Kuala Lumpur International Port in Malaysia will also adopt advanced technologies such as green energy, intelligent logistics systems and real-time tracking to optimise operational efficiency.
Capitalising on strengths to drive overall economic development
According to the World Bank's Global Logistics Performance Index 2023 report, Malaysia has risen 15 places in the Global Logistics Performance Index 2023, ranking second among ASEAN countries after Singapore.
"Malaysia has a favourable geographical location, with the Strait of Malacca to the west, a well-developed maritime network and many ports to connect to the rest of the world." Renmin University of China School of International Relations Associate Professor, Regional Institute of Country Studies Assistant Director JI Xianbai said in an interview with this newspaper, in recent years, Malaysia to strengthen port construction to take the main "three-step" strategy: first, the expansion of existing ports, increase the capacity of the cargo operation centre; second, to promote the port of intelligence, digital, upgrading and renovation Secondly, to promote port intelligence, digitalisation, upgrading facilities and improving operational efficiency; thirdly, to establish industrial parks, special economic zones and free trade zones based on major ports to attract external investment and promote local industrial and economic development. "The Malaysian government attaches great importance to regional connectivity, and actively promote port upgrading, improve port operational efficiency, in order to attract more international shipping and logistics enterprises." JI Xianbai said.
Malaysia Klang Port Authority Chairman Ouyang Hanhua introduced, Malaysia's import and export trade mainly by sea. From the proportion point of view, in Malaysia's logistics transport, air and land transport only 10%, 90% of the maritime transport. The development of port economy, strengthen the development of Malaysia's logistics industry, is to promote the overall economic development of Malaysia's important initiatives.
As the "Belt and Road" initiative goes deeper and deeper, China and Malaysia have deepened port cooperation to further enhance the construction and operation of Malaysian port infrastructure. At present, the "Belt and Road" between China and Malaysia has already formed a pattern of "one park and one port" in the eastern part of the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and the Port of Kuantan, and a "one line" running through the Port of Klang in the western part of the country via the East Coast Railway. .
JI Xianbai analysed that the construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative for Malaysia to give full play to the advantages of location to create opportunities. At the same time, Malaysia to promote the construction of ports can effectively enhance the country's economic vitality, so that it plays a more important role in connecting the global market.
Sea-rail intermodal transport, hub status is constantly highlighted
In 2023, COSCO Shipping Container Lines (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd signed an agreement with Malayan Railways to start the co-operation of sea-rail transport. Lu Zhaofu said, Malaysia has high-quality port resources, maritime cargo ashore through the railway system to the north can be transported to Thailand, Laos, China, through the China-European liner can reach Europe. Sea-rail transport potential is huge, looking forward to seeing greater development in this regard.
"Benefit from its own location advantages and China and Malaysia continue to promote high-quality co-construction of the 'Belt and Road', Malaysia as a logistics hub in Southeast Asia will be further highlighted." JI Xianbai said.
JI Xianbai said, it is worth noting that the future, there is uncertainty in the global economy and geopolitical tensions and other factors or will bring certain risks to the global logistics and transport industry, will also enable Malaysia to create a logistics hub in Southeast Asia in the process of facing challenges. "Next, Malaysia can enhance the bargaining power with major international shipping companies, optimise the distribution of resources between the main domestic ports and other key efforts." JI Xianbai said.
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