PKA Chief is First Malaysian IAPH President
It was momentous occasion for Malaysia at the 25th International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) World Ports Conference in Houston, Texas, when Port Klang Authority general manager Datin Paduka O.C.Phang was selected as the organization’s first woman and first Malaysian president in its 52-year history.
Datin Paduka Phang’s involvement in IAPH began with Port Klang’s hosting of the 1999 21st World Ports Conference in Kuala Lumpur. Her chairmanship of the IAPH membership committee won her recognition and in 2001, she was elected 3rd Vice President. In 2003 she was elected 2nd Vice President and in 2005 1st Vice President.
In her inaugural presidential speech, Datin Paduka Phang pledged to make IAPH ‘an even greater force in the maritime industry’ and that expanding the membership base would be a major goal.
She also said it is important to train young port personnel from developing countries, to enhance leadership capabilities and to encourage middle management personnel participation in IAPH activities with a view to grooming the organisation’s future leadership.
Datin Paduka Phang expressed her gratitude to the Malaysian government and in particular the Transport Ministry for their support which made it possible to enhance the country’s role in the international maritime fraternity and enable her to attain the highest level of the IAPH leadership.
The 25th IAPH Conference was held from 27 April till $ May. The Conference is held biennially with venues rotating amongst the three regions – the Americas, Europe and Africa / Asia Oceania. A trade exhibition is held simultaneously with the conference.
About 840 delegates attended the Houston conference in which 21 papers were presented on topics ranging from the environment to port security.
Thirty-five organizations participated in the trade exhibition which showcased the latest development in the maritime industry.
At the closing session of the conference, port leaders unanimously adopted a resolution calling for ports to promote clean air programs to help fight global warming. The IAPH resolution reaffirms the group’s recognition of the need by ports to adopt clean air programs to better sustain development of the global society.
IAPH urges ports, members and non-members alike to take active and effective steps towards clean air programs while stressing the critical need to develop integrated action plans for individual ports.
IAPH, which was founded in 1955, is the global maritime industry’s leading organization. It is headquartered in Tokyo.
More than 400 ports and top executives from major corporations in nearly 90 countries around the world are represented in IAPH.
The IAPH port membership handles 85 percent of the world’s container traffic and more than 60 percent of the global seaborne trade
Northport Celebrates 21st Anniversary of Privatisation
Northport commemorated its 21 anniversary of privatisation with a series of events for employees and clients which culminated in a gala dinner at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 21 March.The dinner was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak.
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Badawi in his a congratulatory message to Northport on the occasion said, “Our decision to privatize operations at Port Klang to Kelang Container Terminal, the predecessor to Northport, has proved to be a resounding success-one that has gone well beyond our initial expectations.
“The container terminal operations at Port Klang was one of our earliest privatization ventures and is a reflection of the government’s commitment to improve the movement of goods in the global markets.’
“As Northport celebrates its 21 years of privatization, I believe it appropriate to way that this is also a celebration of privatization as a successful development strategy, one that has helped tremendously in the development of the nation.’
As the dinner, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib described the privatization of Port Klang ‘as an experimental step that has been successfully followed through and I believe the entire nation readily recognizes this achievement in history’.
Northport has come a long way since its KCT (Klang Container Terminal) days when is was the only privatized sea terminal in the country. Its current form is the results of a merger with Kelang Port Management (KPM). Together with the country’spioneer container houlage company Kontena Nasional, Northport is part of the Northport Holdings Berhad stable which is listed on Bursa Malaysia.
Over the last 21 years, more than Rm1.4 billion has been invested in developing Northport’s facilities and this has paid off in the achievement of an international standard level of productivity and in attracting global mainline operators. Over the next years, another RM58S million will be spent to upgrade existing facilities.
Northport is also focusing on growing its non-container sector such as bulk transshipment and the automotive trade. The company’s other potential growth area is its distripark which was acquired in 2001. Volume handled at the distripark has steadily rose from 90,000 TEU in 2001 to the current 147,000 TEU.
Port Klang Authority, Malaysia Signs Sister Port Agreement with Luka Koper, Slovenia
Port Klang Authority and Luka Koper have ventured into a sisterport relationship. This Memorandum of Understanding of a Sisterport Agreement was signed at the Ministry Of Transport Malaysia, Putrajaya on 6th November 2006 presided by Y.B. Dato’ Sri Chan Kong Choy, Hon. Minister of Transport, Malaysia. Port Klang Authority was represented by Y.B.Dato' Yap Pian Hon, Chairman and Y.Bhg.Datin Paduka O.C.Phang, General Manager whilst Mr.Aldo Babic, Vice President of Luka Koper and Dato' Mohamed Sulaiman, Slovenia Consulate in Malaysia signed on behalf of Luka Koper.
A sisterport relationship essentially strengthens the co-operation and mutual understanding between both ports and provides avenues for “Smart Partnership” arrangement. It fosters cooperation and mutual assistance in a number of areas under the scope of the MOU signed. This agreement will establish a framework for inter-port trade development, human resource training, technology transfer and other areas of mutual interest that will generate commercial benefits such as the increase in trade between both countries.
Traditionally Port Klang has established sisterport relationships with seaports in countries that have existing strong trade partnership with Malaysia. Although Malaysia has had stable trade flows with the European Union (Slovenia being a recent addition to the EU community in 2004), business potential between Malaysia and Slovenia remains untapped. In the year 2005, Port Klang only handled a total of 1399 FWT of cargo throughput from trade with Slovenia. Hence, the signing of the MOU is a significant step for Port Klang as it opens up to closer relationship with European Ports. The Port Of Koper, positioned as the logistical shortcut to Eastern Europe, will provide Port Klang and Malaysia the platform to penetrate and explore new markets, especially among the countries in Eastern Europe such as Austria, Hungary and Crotia. With this MOU, Port Klang is confident that there will be significant trade development and improvement with Slovenia.
At the same time, Luka Koper can look to using Port Klang as a point of access to the vibrant and developing economies of South East Asia. Port Klang together with its Free Zones development offers an ideal trading and regional distribution option.
In times of globalization and rapid changes to the worlds’ business practices and economy, countries must constantly seek new partnerships and linkages to remain competitive. It is our hope that this agreement will explore available and new options and establish the groundwork for future business. This MOU between Luka Koper, situated in the heart of Europe that represents an ideal Logistics and Distribution Centre for Central and Eastern Europe and Port Klang, Malaysia’s Premier port will be a springboard towards widening business prospects and market access for Malaysia and Slovenia as well as the EU. Together we will take a positive step towards promoting trade development and linkages for mutual benefit.
Promoting PKFZ as 'Jebel Ali with a Malaysian Twist'
Promotion of Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) is being intensified as its soft launch in July approaches. PKFZ’s official opening will be in late 2006. PKFZ’s General Manager Noel Gulliver described the country first free commercial and industrial zone as ‘Jebel Ali with a Malaysian Twist’. At a recent road show in London, he said discussions were going on at the highest level to promote PKFZ using the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai- reputedly the world’s most successful free zone – as the benchmark.
“That would present some challenges as Malaysia is not Dubai and you can’t do that exactly. But we’re going to make some adjustments to the Malaysian perspective and deliver as much of Jebel Ali’s operating environment as possible into PKFZ”, he said at the London Seminar on Business Opportunities at Malaysia’s Premier Maritime Gateway. More than 60 British and Malaysian maritime industry leaders, bankers as well as businessmen and industrialist attended the event.
The seminar was part of the road show that covered Stockholm, Frankfurt and Hanover to promote PKFZ to European decision – makers. Gulliver said they wanted PKFZ to be a major trading hub for south- east Asia and not just a transshipment centre for the main sea routes in the Straits of Malacca. “We see PKFZ as a major trading hub for south –east Asia, not just a transshipment is second to none in respect of those in the region while the coast- effective is extremely competitive”, he added.
PKFZ is designed to promote entreport trade and manufacturing industries involved in the production of goods primarily for transshipment, re-export and regional distribution. This will allow factories and logistics companies to be located in the same zone to enhance coordination and optimise the supply chain management process. The project is the biggest investment undertaken by Port Klang Authority (PKA) since in completed the privatization of all its port services in the 1990s. PKA has appointed JFZA International, to manage and market PKFZ.
Gulliver Appointed General Manager of PKFZ
Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) has appointed Noel Gulliver as its General Manager. Gulliver, 54, is a 30 year veteran in the logistics business and has served in senior and regional management roles for multinational companies such as CF/Emery Worldwide, Maersk Logistics, Roadway, Schenker and Jardine Logistics. He bring s with him leadership experience in the development of new projects and businesses in Asia and across a broad spectrum of the logistics business, ranging from ocean and air freight forwarding to integrated logistics and facility management.
Gulliver has worked in Asia for 13 years and in Europe for seven. His other work assignments included stints in North America, the Middle East and Australasia. He was educated at St. Bernard’s College and Melbourne University in Australia where he completed a Commerce Degree and Education Diploma majoring in accounting, commercial law and economics.
INMEX and Asian Freight Forwarders Forum 2007
The International Maritime Expo (INMEX) Malaysia and Asian Freight Forwarders Forum 2007 will be jointly held from 23-25 January 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. The event will create a forum for business transactions and networking among overseas and local government agencies, international trading houses, export association, chambers of commerce, shipping companies, maritime associations, classifications societies, marine equipment manufacturer and suppliers as well as port authorities and terminal operators.
The second Asian Freight Forwarders Forum will also be held in conjunction with INMEX Malaysia 2007. The focus of the forum will be on opportunities in the Indian and China markets. The first forum was held in September 2005 in Kuala Lumpur. The objectives of the forum are essentially to create new business opportunities and networking opportunities for participants. Freight forwarders and practitioner from the shipping community in the Asian region will be invited to speak on their experience. The highlight of the forum will be the business-to-business meetings which aim at creating linkages and business opportunities.
Westports Breaks Another Record with 452 Moves Per Hour
In February Westports clinched a world record of 421 moves per hour on a CMA-CGM vessel Rossini. One month later on March 9, the terminal once again achieved another world record for productivity with 452 moves per hour. The record was achieved with eight cranes deployed on other CMA-CGM vessel, Puccini which sails on the westbound leg of the North China Service.
Westports’s Container Terminal Operations Manager, M.Nanthakumar said “There was a total transshipment discharge of 3,559 boxes from the Puccini. The highest total moves was achieved during the second hour of operations, during which time there were two cranes that were achieving 61 moves per hour and another with 60 moves per hour.
“Five other cranes deployed during this hour achieved a performance that range from 48 to 59 moves per hour. The average crane productivity for the overall operation was 50 moves per hour and 237 mph for the vessel”. Westports’s Executive Chairman, Tan Sri G.Gnanalingam said, “Westports now stands amongst the top five ports in the world to have achieved such a remarkable rate of productivity”.
Prestigious Masai Award for PKA Chief
Port Klang Authority’s general manager Datin Paduka O.C.Phang received a rare honour at the recent 5th Pan African Ports Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. She was conferred the Masai tribe’s title of ‘Tribal Lady Elder’. The Masai is one of Kenya’s major tribes. This is a top honour for a Masai woman and recognized leader who can preside over all kinds of functions including sitting in tribal courts to deal with disputes.
Datin Paduka O.C.Phang was at the conference in her capacity as 1st Vice President of the International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH).
The conference, which was held from December 4-8, attracted more than 200 participants comprising senior officials from African ports and related organizations and also IAPH members from the Africa / Europe region. The Kenya Ports Authority hosted the conference.
Datin Paduka O.C. Phang in her speech said that African members have participated consistently in IAPH activities and that having an IAPH 2nd vice president from Africa was testimony to the growing prosperity of the continent’s ports. She also announced that the IAPH Bursary Scheme (financial assistance for training of young professionals in developing ports), which is now being revised, is another important asset which IAPH has been offering to African members.
Salihuddin is New AGM (Administration)
PKA Property Manager Salihuddin Yussuf, 47, has been promoted to Assistant General Manager (Administration).
Salihuddin has been with PKA since 1982. He joined the service as an Administrative Officer with the Stevedoring Department and rose through the ranks to Property Manager in 1997.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree from the National University of Malaysia and a Master of Science (Urban Land Appraisal) degree from University of Reading, UK.
Salihuddin has been the Malaysian coordinator of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) since 2003 and a member of the Port Planning & Development Committee of IAPH from 2005. He was secretary of the ASEAN Ports Association, Malaysia, from 1998 to 2002.
Meanwhile, former AGM (Administration) Paul Seo has taken over the portfolio of AGM (Corporate) upon the retirement of his predecessor, V.Balakrishnan.
Engineering Manager A. Murytharan has been confirmed in his post as AGM (Engineering).
China Shipping Relocates Regional HQ To Malaysia
China Shipping Group co has shifted its regional headquarters from Singapore to Malaysia.
China Shipping’s vice-president Zhang Guo Fa said that the Malaysian government’s incentive to grant the company 100% foreign equity for its operations here and the increase in trade between China and Malaysia were the deciding factors for the relocation.
China Shipping, he said, is also confident about the future performance and growth of Port Klang. The company is the second largest container line operating in Westport.
The regional headquarters will monitor its transshipment hub at Westport and also acts as coordinator for its south –east Asian subsidiaries and principal office in China.
“The man who removes a mountain
begins by carrying
away small stones.”
“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
That thought came from a Chinese proverb.
In pondering over it, I began to look back to thirty years ago - on 5
August 1973 to be exact - when the container ship Tokyo Bay, sailed into
Port Klang and thence into Malaysian maritime transportation history.
Tokyo Bay was the first fully cellular vessel to call at a Malaysian
Port.
You could say that the Tokyo Bay signalled the removal of a small stone
from a mountain of doubt about Port Klang’s ability to manage container
operations. The early days were not easy, as those who were among the
pioneers involved in the business would surely agree.
Be that as it may, seven years from the date, Port Klang was ranked 57th
among the world’s container ports. In 1990, its ranking improved to 35th
position. It took almost another decade - in 1999 - before the port
broke into the Top 20 club when it became the 15th busiest container
port in the world. But now, Port Klang is catching the attention of the
global maritime community.
As we remember the 30th anniversary of the coming of containerisation to
Malaysia, it would be good to consider the small stones that had to be
carried away over the years as all the sectors involved in maritime
transport made what were often painful adjustments to the demands of a
new transportation concept. It was particularly painful for the then
port operator, the Port Klang Authority. There were many trials and
errors and customers made certain the port knew about it. But the small
stones were being removed along the way.
With the support of the government, what appeared to be an
insurmountable mountain of problems were slowly being chipped away. And
the government’s privatisation initiative beginning in the 1980s
increased the momentum. And more stones were removed.
And the moral of it all? No problem is too big that it cannot be
resolved in one way or another. But it will take wisdom and courage. In
looking at the challenges confronting Port Klang, we could begin by
chipping away at the problems, a bit at a time. Let’s begin with the
removal of small stones. Instead of looking at the problem, let’s look
at possible solutions. Let’s not look at the size of the mountain but at
the small stones and carry a small one away - one at a time.
Just a thought to ponder over.
DATIN PADUKA O.C. PHANG
General Manager
Port Klang Authority
PKA General Manager Elected
Chairman Of Asean Ports Association
Port Klang Authority (PKA) General Manager Datin Paduka O.C. Phang was
elected Chairman of the Asean Ports Association (APA) for 2004 at the
recent 29th Annual Meeting held in December in Chiangrai, Thailand.
This yet another international appointment for Datin Paduka Phang, who,
as the current 2nd vice President of the International Association of
Ports and Harbours Association (IAPH) became the first Malaysian Port
Chief and first woman to be elected into IAPH’s highest decision-making
body.
She is also the Chairman of APA Malaysia, a grouping at national level
which comprises all the country’s ports.
At the same APA meeting, PKA’s Commercial Manager Mohd. Kamal Tohiran
was elected Secretary General. Malaysia will be hosting the 30th Annual
APA Meeting in 2004. To promote tourism in East Malaysia, the December
meeting will be held for the first time in Kota Kinabalu.
APA, which was formed in 1974, is a regional association with members
comprising port authorities and terminal operators. Its main objective
is to provide its members with a vehicle for regional co-operation in
port and harbour development, operations and management and to promote
and protect the interests of member ports.
The APA Annual Meeting which serves as the policy-making body of APA
reviews the progress of the association’s work and project, decides on
vital issues at hand and addresses other areas of concerns such as
approving the proposed APA budget, examining and adopting the reports of
the Various Technical and Working Committee Meetings held prior to the
annual meetings. - gateway -
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