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Malaysian ports must improve infrastructure to keep pace with intra-Asia trade

Malaysia needs to accelerate investment in port infrastructure to capitalise on growing intra-Asia trade, delegates at the Logistics Symposium 2026 in Kuala Lumpur heard yesterday. Westports Malaysia CEO Vijaya Kumar Puspowanam said intra-Asia trade continued to expand despite the conflict in the Middle East and ports must be prepared to expand capacity quickly, given their standing as major chokepoints in the supply chain. He said: "We're confident in adding capacity, especially at the port. We have to be willing to take the risk faster and more confidently because ports are the biggest chokepoint. If there's continuous demand, and if we continue hitting trigger points of 80% utilisation, we'll be confidently building capacity, at least for the next 15 years." Westports, which operates nine terminals in Port Klang, is developing Westports 2, which will add eight terminals and double the annual handling capacity, to 28m teu, in the 2040s. Mr Vijaya Kumar also highlighted capacity constraints at Port Klang, claiming even a single maintenance operation could result in significant congestion. He said Westports had lacked land to expand and had approached the government in 2019 to increase capacity. It secured government approval in 2023 to proceed with the Westports 2 expansion. Meanwhile, Kuantan's chief commercial officer, Mazlim Husin, said the port, which can handle up to 500,000 teu annually, was prepared to expand its capacity to meet future demand. The port has two basins, the first operating at full capacity and the second offering a draught of about 60 metres. Mr Mazlim said: "In this second basin, we have capacity to build, in terms of more yachts, more boats and more basins." MTT Shipping and Logistics MD and co-founder Kenny Ooi Lean Hin added that Asean had emerged as one of the major beneficiaries of shifting global trade patterns, driven by supply chain realignments as China diversifies its markets into the region. He said Malaysia must take "a broader view of the logistics ecosystem" to accommodate anticipated growth in cargo volumes, including addressing bottlenecks at ports and in drayage services. He noted that trucking capacity was shrinking due to poor turnaround times, congestion around ports, driver shortages, and other operational challenges, and stressed that capacity building across the logistics sector was essential to support future growth. He asked: "Why are we not having enough capacity to meet the future growth? There's no point having just a port's capacity expanded if the entire ecosystem cannot support it."

China's Newnew Shipping to launch services to Murmansk and invest in the port

Yangpu Newnew Shipping, which specialises in China-Russia liner services, is now eyeing regular services to Murmansk via the Northern Sea Route. CEO Ke Jin said yesterday that Newnew's 1,220 teu Xin Xin Hai 1 had become the first containership to call at Murmansk, primarily a dry bulk and general cargo port. Mr Ke said Newnew would, from October, send six larger vessels to Murmansk, the only ice-free port in western Russia, and planned to invest in the port's infrastructure. He added: "We're confident we will see significant development in the Murmansk region. Murmansk is conducive for investment, because of the authorities' support and the fact that it's the only ice-free port in western Russia. "More and more Chinese companies are joining the Arctic route, which I think has become safer, gradually." Besides Murmansk, Newnew is also keen to invest in the Russian ports of Arkhangelsk and Ust-luga, which are also along the NSR, of which the carrier has been the most frequent user, according to the Centre For High North Logistics. Xin Xin Hai 1 carried about 500 containers, mainly automotive parts from Tianjin on 19 July, boxes that are expected to be transhipped to St Petersburg or Kaliningrad. China is the first-mover on NSR voyages, hoping to exploit the route, which it calls the Far Eastern Ice Silk Road, as a short cut from Asia to Europe. Last year, the governments of China and Russia agreed to expand transport through the NSR, aiming to increase cargo volumes in this direction to 20m tonnes by 2030. Meanwhile, Sea Legend Shipping is also offering liner services through the NSR, with eight China-Europe sailings during the current navigational season.

B&H Worldwide moves operations near Auckland Airport

Aerospace logistics provider B&H Worldwide has relocated its Auckland New Zealand office and warehouse operations to a new facility close to Auckland Airport to strengthen its ability to provide time-critical logistics solutions. The new facility in Mangere includes dedicated secure storage areas for high-value aircraft components and engines, as well as specialised shelving systems for the efficient storage and management of smaller aircraft parts. Combined with improved airport connectivity and the support of B&H's dedicated customs team, the new location enables faster and more efficient cargo processing and more responsive support for customers across New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific region, said the company. Overall, the facility is anticipated to strengthen B&H's ability to provide a range of aerospace logistics services, including third-party logistics (3PL) warehousing, inventory management, customs clearance, import and export handling, airside access and 24/7 Aircraft on Ground (AOG) support. "Our new Auckland facility represents an important step in strengthening our service offering for the aerospace sector in New Zealand," said Lee Hedges, branch manager, New Zealand, B&H Worldwide. "Its proximity to Auckland Airport, combined with our specialist customs expertise, secure storage capabilities and around-the-clock AOG support, enables us to respond quickly and efficiently to our customers' requirements. "This move strengthens our ability to deliver the speed, reliability and operational excellence that the aerospace industry demands."