Hamburg Sud Makes Westports Its Home at Port Klang (Malaysia)

Hamburg Sud, the 12th largest container carrier in the world, is the latest shipping line making Westports its home at Port Klang. Its vessel “Cap San Marco” (9,600 TEU), one of 12 units between 8,500 and 9,600 TEU deployed in the South America Service (ASIA 2), called at Westports Malaysia for the first time on 20th July.

The ASIA 2 service will see Westports Malaysia further expanding its services coverage between South America and Far East, improving the delivery time and connectivity for cargo shipped via the port.

Officiating the maiden call event at Westports Malaysia was Stefan Kirschner, Joint General Manager of Hamburg Sud for Region Asia Pacific Region. “We are optimistic about the continued growth of Asia particularly South East Asia. The ASIA 2 service calling at Westports Malaysia will enable us to provide our customers with the best possible transit time to the key markets in South America and the Far East” said Stefan Kirschner.

Westports Malaysia commenced its container operations with a mere 19,000 TEUs in 1996, to its first million TEUs in 2000 and has grown to handle 6.9 million TEUs in 2012.

Westports Malaysia, being one of the two terminal operators in Port Klang, has registered a phenomenal growth since its inception and this has propelled Port Klang up to the 12th busiest container port in the world in 2012. Westports commands an impressive 70% volume of total containers handled at Port Klang.

Westports CEO, Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, said: “The maiden call of ‘Cap San Marco’ is another historical moment for us as this marks the beginning of our long-term partnership with Hamburg Sud. We are determined to provide Hamburg Sud with our continuous support and work hand-in-hand with them to expand their presence here”.

“Westports would also like to thank all the relevant government agencies, namely Ministry of Transport, Port Klang Authority, Royal Customs, Immigration Department, Royal Malaysian Police and all other Government Agencies who have supported all our efforts into providing the best conducive environment for our customers to do business with us” added Ruben Emir Gnanalingam. In line with the terminal expansion of Westports and its volume growth, the Government has given its commitment in deepening the South Channel and widening the current access roads in order to ensure that the port can continue to enhance its services to the shipping community and port users.

Westports Malaysia is on the expansion mode in anticipation of the volume growth and progress on its Container Terminal 7 (CT7), measuring 600-meter in quay length, is progressing well and, upon completion, will increase Westports’ overall handling capacity from 9.5 million TEUs to 11 million TEUs. This new berth is specifically designed and capable in handling the 18,000 TEUs vessel which is the current world’s largest container vessel in the order book.

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Westports Malaysia, July 22, 2013