Page 460 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

452 MALAYSIA BY SEA
Ports – Gateways
to Prosperity
Malaysia’s ports have been crucial to its growth as a trading and manufacturing nation. The country even traces its history from the founding of Melaka, the world’s greatest trading
port in the early 15th Century. Malaysia is strategically positioned along the
Straits of Melaka and the Straits of Johor, two of
the world’s busiest sea lanes, at the heart of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). Malaysia has no less than
21 seaports and 3 inland port terminals, each with a vital role in the nation’s maritime trade. Malaysia’s booming port activity was spurred by privatisation during the 1990’s, with
Port Authorities assuming new roles as regulators. For example, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Northport (Malaysia) Bhd operate
Port Klang under the Port Klang Authority. Most ports in Sarawak are operated by state-owned port authorities. However, Bintulu Port,
home of the world’s largest LNG terminal, is operated by Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad and regulated by Bintulu Port Authority, a federal government agency. In Sabah, ports have been privatised to one operator, Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd, with the Sabah Port Authority acting as regulator. Two
of Malaysia’s ports are ranked in the world top- 20, according to the World Shipping Council (2019); Port Klang (12th) and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (18th position).
Penang Port
Penang Port Sdn Bhd (Operator)
1, Pesara King Edward
George Town, 10300 Pulau Pinang T (04) 210 2211
W penangport.com.my
Penang Port Commission
(Port Authority)
Level 2, Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal 1A, King Edward Place
10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
T (04) 263 3211
W penangport.gov.my
Penang is Malaysia’s oldest commercial port, founded by Sir Francis Light in
1786 to compete with the Dutch ports of Melaka and Bengkulu. Its sheltered harbour enables ocean- going vessels to avoid the dangerous shallows of the Straits of Malacca. The port expanded rapidly during the 1970’s-80’s, along with Penang’s manufacturing sector, and is now one of the country’s busiest ports and the main logistics hub
Penang Port’s Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, which can handle the largest cruise liners afloat, has made George Town a popular cruise destination.