Westports on expansion path

Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd will resume the initial phase of its expansion this year that will see the construction of the 300m container terminal 6 (CT6).
“We have opened the tender for CT6 and in terms of cost we would not know until the bid comes in.
“But, it is estimated that based on previous experience, the cost could be more than RM200mil inclusive of construction, equipment, logistics and dredging,” executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam told StarBiz.
The construction of CT6 comprises an additional 300m berth, 1,500 additional ground slot of yard space and four new quay cranes. It is expected to be ready by second quarter next year. This will see the increase of the port’s capacity to 7.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
Westports was supposed to have begun its expansion about two years ago but was slowed down by the global economic downturn.
Ruben said when completed, CT6 would see the berth length of about 600m.
However, Westports would construct half of the project first as the remaining development would require land reclamation.
“The reclamation tender is already out and we want to start its development as soon as possible,” he said.
Ruben said Westports planned long-term expansion would see capital expenditure of RM3.5bil to RM4bil to be developed over the span of 15 to 20 years.
“It will involve about 3km of berth length for five terminals. But again, the speed of the expansion plan will depend on the trend of the future economy,” he said.
Westports recorded a 30% growth in container handling to 2.65 million TEUs from January to June compared with the same period last year.
In another matter, Westports executive chairman, Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam has been conferred the Asia Human Resource Development (HRD) Congress Award 2010 for his contributions to society in the development of human resources last week.
The award was presented by Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.
“The government has embarked on a high-income economy by 2020 and I would like to appeal to all private sector employers that only they can ensure that they move into a high income economy.
“Poverty level today is set at RM750 income per month and I believe strongly there should be a minimum wage for both local and foreign employees. In fact, Vision 2020 for me means the minimum salary in Malaysia will be RM2,020 by the year 2020,” he said in a statement.
Gnanalingam said this was the third human resources award to Westports.
“The first was Best Employer Award in 2004 and followed by the Human Resource Development Award in 2007. I believe receiving the Asia HRD Award is probably the culmination of awards.

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