News / Competition for South-east Asian transhipment traffic heats up with port developments

Gantry cranes in Northport Malaysia Wharf container terminal. Pelabuhan, Klang, Malaysia. © Igor Groshev

A flurry of new port capacity on the Straits of Malacca could further intensify competition for South-east Asia’s transhipment cargo.

In addition to expansions by terminal operators in Singapore, Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas – the region’s three major transhipment hubs – Malaysian authorities have announced deals with Chinese investors to build three new ports on the country’s west coast, two of which will target container traffic.

The $7.3bn Malacca Gateway Project, funded by Powerchina International, aims to be the biggest development in the ...