From the magazine – Malaysia’s Port Klang has been growing at five per cent annually, which has resulted in the need for improved infrastructure. The eight new container terminals (CT10-CT17) planned for Westports will see reclamation and dredging work to expand the port by 14 million TEUs.
Article by Udeshi Amarasinghe and Robert Platt, Intent Communications, supplied to SWZ|Maritime by CEDA, ceda@dredging.org. This article also appeared in SWZ|Maritime’s July/August 2025 issue.
A major project to expand Port Klang’s Westports in Malaysia, one of the three main ports in the Straits of Malacca, is well underway, with Phase 1 work to reclaim more than 260 hectares of land from the sea set to complete in 2028. The next phase of the project, aimed at greatly enhancing the terminal’s infrastructure, will commence in 2027, with construction and equipment acquisition starting for the first new terminal, CT10.
The entire project is set to increase the port’s capacity to close to 28 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from 14 million currently, resulting from the eight new terminals labelled CT10 to CT17. It will be carried out in two phases, with Phase 1 focused on land reclamation as well as the construction of the first four 600-metre container terminals (CT10-CT13) measuring 2.4 km in total.
Construction of the remaining terminals, which form Phase 2, will then be contingent on supply-and-demand market dynamics, with the entire project expected to take around fifteen to twenty years. Currently, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) operates two medium-sized and one small-sized trailer dredger on site. The two bigger machines are roughly 155 metres in length, have a hopper capacity ranging from 12,888 to 16,888 m3, while the small-sized dredger has a hopper capacity of 5000 m3 and is able to operate effectively in shallower areas due to its lesser draught restriction.
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Shift in funding structure
Phase 1’s cost is estimated to be approximately $ 1.5 billion, with Phase 2’s cost hitting closer to the $ 2 billion mark. Speaking to CEDA Industry News, Captain K. Subramaniam, general manager at Port Klang Authority and secretary general of the Eastern Dredging Association (EADA), explains that the cost disparity is ‘mainly due to phase one being partially on existing land, while phase two will be entirely on reclaimed land.’
He adds that generally, Malaysia’s port projects are driven by a private-public partnership model where the government makes land available for private companies to build and operate ports. However, as is the case with Westports, Subramaniam says that this approach is now shifting, with ‘private companies funding land creation and subsequent construction, operations, and maintenance. This increased investment [from the private sector] is offset by longer concession periods, which are proving to be an effective approach.’
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Aligning with local and global trends
The expansion, which is being driven by Port Klang Authority and Westports Holdings Bhd, aligns with a strategic shift in Malaysia’s cargo profile. Subramaniam explains that in the early 2000s, transhipment accounted for seventy per cent of cargo compared to thirty per cent domestic; today, it is roughly 55 per cent transhipment and 45 per cent domestic. This points to a growing manufacturing and value-adding sector within Malaysia, with locally produced goods being exported and raw materials imported.
Beyond Malaysia, Subramaniam states that Port Klang’s renewed investment into the container market is also designed to ‘reflect wider global trends in cargo transportation.’ He adds: ‘Around sixty to seventy per cent of goods worldwide are transported via containers because of their efficiency and point-to-point operation – they allow for door-to-door delivery, with packing and unpacking done at the origin and destination, which in turn warrants cargo integrity and ease of handling. All of this means containers are the preferred mode of transportation for many types of goods, [which] will continue to grow in the coming years.’
Growth in all areas
As of today, Port Klang maintains an eighty/twenty market share split between container and non-container facilities, offering services for break bulk, bulk cargo, liquid bulk, and RoRo traffic. Plans are in place to also expand noncontainer facilities at a future date.
Subramaniam: ‘In 2024, Port Klang handled 14.65 million TEUs and approximately 250 million tonnes of cargo, with about 13,000 vessel calls. While vessel numbers haven’t consistently grown, the trend of larger vessels operating at 85 to ninety per cent capacity means increased overall cargo handling capacity.’ And although 2025 presents challenges due to global restrictions, tariffs, economic uncertainties, and geopolitical issues, there are still positive signs ‘suggesting a growth curve of two to three per cent.’
In addition to direct cargo handling, Port Klang also provides a complete “ecosystem” of services for vessels, including fuel, water, rations, stationery, stores, crew changes, spare parts, and repairs.
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Environmental protection
Since the start, the project – from reclamation to construction – has been strictly regulated by Malaysia’s environmental laws, specifically the Environmental Quality Act. This Act includes specific provisions for port development, dredging, reclamation, and general port activities.
Subramaniam explains that the first step was to secure approval from the authorities. This involved a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), whereby engagement was required with various consultants and stakeholders, including the local community. The EIA includes conditions such as requiring the replanting of displaced mangrove forests, the installation of silt curtains to prevent runoff from entering the sea, and continuous monitoring of water quality. Close collaboration with the local fishing community has also been effective in mitigating any impact on their livelihoods.
For dredging and reclamation in particular, the project has involved research to discover new techniques that prioritise environmental preservation. This includes finding new uses for dredged material and exploring ways to treat and reuse “unsuitable” materials.
The project’s strong focus on environmental preservation aligns more broadly with overall efforts to both achieve better sustainability levels and reduce carbon emission levels at Port Klang, Subramaniam adds. Other recent examples include switching to more efficient hybrid equipment (fuel and electric-driven) and installing solar panels on warehouse rooftops.
Subramaniam says: ‘Regular information exchange with international counterparts like the Central Dredging Association (CEDA) and Western Dredging Association (WEDA) has been a tremendous help in terms of achieving an approach based on industry best practice.’
Resilient growth
Looking ahead, the main long-term goals for Port Klang include much stronger connectivity with more global ports, ideally via direct calls, in order to expand cargo volumes. Despite the ongoing challenges posed by global disruptions and economic
uncertainties, Subramaniam still believes Port Klang is poised for strong growth levels in the coming years.
‘Port Klang’s proactive approach to digitalisation, emphasis on efficiency, and meticulous planning, combined with continuous infrastructure development, puts us on a very strong footing to capitalise on economic opportunities throughout ASEAN and beyond,’ he says. ‘As our expansion project progresses, Port Klang’s role as a vital hub in global trade will continue to accelerate, which makes us very excited at what the future holds.’
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About CEDA
The Central Dredging Association (CEDA) is an internationally recognised independent professional association. It is an easy-to-access leading platform for the exchange of knowledge and an authoritative reference point for impartial technical information. CEDA actively strives to contribute towards sustainable development by strongly recommending working with nature.
CEDA members are corporations, professionals and stakeholders, involved in a diversity of activities related to dredging, marine construction and dredged sediment management. CEDA represents the common interest of all fields related to dredging and does not promote the interest of any particular industry sector or organisation.
Picture (top): The progress at CT10, where the prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) installation is underway (photo supplied by CEDA).
