Page 424 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

416 CONNECTIVITY – FOREWORD
The Strait of Malacca is one of the busiest trade routes in the world, carrying more than 80,000 vessels annually. Over 50% of seagoing ships ever built are said to have passed through it during the past 500 years. Our location astride this main shipping channel between the Indian and Pacific Oceans makes Malaysia a crucial logistics hub, ranked 2nd in ASEAN and 12th in the world for trade and connectivity.
Malaysian shipping ports are among the busiest and most efficient in Asia, collectively ranking 4th in the world for container handling. The two largest, Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas, are ranked 12th and 18th respectively in the global Top-20. Port Klang alone handles more containers than all of India’s ports combined. Malaysian ports are also among the world’s fastest for vessel turnaround times, serving as transhipment hubs for the largest global container lines.
Our airports provide advanced handling facilities for every type of cargo, and connections to over 1,000 destinations. These shipping ports and airports are connected by an extensive network of modern roads and railways to all major cities and industrial zones. Malaysia is also fortunate to have one of the most advanced logistics sectors in the world, integrating seamlessly with the manufacturing, distribution, wholesale and retail sectors to position the country as a global leader in digital logistics and online business.
Our well-educated, highly trained, English-speaking workforce is flexible and multi-skilled, while industrial relations are excellent. Our government works closely with the private sector to facilitate investments in logistics and related services, and to develop ever more advanced transport and communications infrastructure.
Many top logistics firms have chosen Malaysia as their base for Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region, including the world’s largest retailer from China. In the following section, you will see precisely what has attracted these investors to Malaysia, and how well-connected our country is both domestically and internationally.
Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam
Group Managing Director, Westports Holding Berhad