Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, part of the MMC Group, has shattered records with an impressive monthly container throughput of 335,361 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) for May 2024. This remarkable achievement signifies a 26.6 percent increase compared to the same month last year and surpasses the previous record of 310,865 TEUs set in December 2020.
In a statement, Dato’ Azman Shah Mohd Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of Northport, attributed this milestone to several factors. “The Red Sea geopolitical crisis has severely impacted international trade, leading to numerous vessel diversions from major regional ports. Since the beginning of this year, Northport has accommodated over 80 ad-hoc vessel calls due to this global situation. Alongside our strategic marketing efforts and enhanced infrastructure, this has contributed significantly to our record-breaking performance last month,” he explained.
May’s throughput was also bolstered by the introduction of two new vessel services and increased volumes from existing ones. The completion of Block J, a state-of-the-art container yard infrastructure in 2023, has played a crucial role in boosting operational efficiency at Northport.
A key highlight of this period was the arrival of the MV OOCL Japan on 20 May 2024, marking the largest container vessel ever to dock at Northport. The MV OOCL Japan, owned by Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) Limited, has a capacity of 21,413 TEUs, surpassing the previous record-holder, the Eugen Maersk, which had a capacity of 11,000 TEUs and called at Northport in 2013.
For the first five months of 2024, Northport has handled a total of 1,390,916 TEUs, reflecting an 11.1 percent increase from the same period last year. This follows an exceptional 2021, when Northport achieved a record container handling volume of 3,324,364 TEUs in a single year. Additionally, Northport set a new high in its conventional cargo segment last year, managing 11,405,312 FWTs (Freight Weight Tonnes), exceeding its 2022 record of 11,115,670 FWTs.
“We take great pride in these record-breaking accomplishments, which underscore Northport’s dedication to operational excellence,” said Dato’ Azman. “These achievements are the result of our team’s hard work, the support from our partners, and the trust of our valued customers. Looking ahead, we anticipate greater opportunities and challenges in 2024, and we remain committed to driving sustainable growth and making this year another successful one for Northport.”
