Westports Malaysia box volumes surge 30% in H1

Westports Malaysia recorded its highest ever first half throughput as volumes jumped 30% in the first six months of the year. Westports handled 2.65m teu in the first half of 2010, up a hefty 30% on the 2.03m teu throughput at the terminal in the first six months of 2009. As global container markets bounced back the terminal enjoyed a record month in June handling 484,000 teu. The terminal operator said it was on target to achieve a throughput of 5.4m teu this year. Westports is expanding to meet the rapid rebound in growth. “ We will be investing in container terminal six that comprises an additional 300m berth, 1,500 more ground slots of yard space and four new quay cranes,” said Ruben Emir Gnanalingham, executive director of Westports. “The new terminal is expected to be ready by the second quarter of next year and will increase the port’s capacity to 7.5m teu,” he said.