Page 10 - MMC_PORTS_NEWSLETTER_Q4_2025

10 MMC PORTS NEWSLETTER

FEATURE STORY

Northport:

Gaining the Competitive Edge

Located in Port Klang, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd (Northport), is one of the leading multi-purpose

gateway ports in Malaysia’s logistics ecosystem, and a valued part of MMC Port Holdings Berhad
(MMC Ports). With 124 years of sustainable growth under its belt, Northport offers the competitive edge
for all of its port users through a robust blend of ultramodern infrastructure, logistical advantages, and
strategic market access, which is achieved via its proximity to the Klang Valley and direct access to
global shipping routes.

The First Port in Port Klang A New Era Begins

The history of Northport began 124 years ago at Southpoint Things continued moving forward in the management of the port.
during the British colonial period, when it was known as Port Vigorous and comprehensive changes came about when one
Swettenham - a small port administered by Malayan Railways of Malaysia's oldest conglomerate, MMC Corporation Berhad
Limited. Since then, Port Swettenham has grown exponentially, (MMC) coming in the picture. MMC is Malaysia’s leading utility
serving as the national gateway for its users and eventually being and infrastructure group with diversified businesses under four
known as a flexible port that offers a wide range of port facilities, core business divisions, namely Ports and Logistics, Energy and
services, and cargo handling capabilities. Utilities, Engineering, and Industrial Development. In January
2016, MMC, through its wholly-owned subsidiary MMC Ports,
The Privatisation of Port Klang took over the ownership of Northport.

Over the years, the increased demand for port facilities at Port
Klang, consistent with the growth of the Malaysian economy
and the advent of containerisation, led to the Port's gradual
privatisation aspirations. Malaysia’s first port privatisation
exercise began in Port Klang in March 1986 when Klang Container
Terminal (KCT) was formed to operate Port Klang Authority’s
(PKA) container terminal. It is regarded as the flagship of the
Government’s pioneer privatisation programme, with KCT being
established as part of the first phase of Port Klang’s privatisation.
The privatisation process started in 1985 when PKA incorporated
KCT as its wholly owned subsidiary and awarded it a 21-year
renewable lease and exclusive license to operate the container
terminal, including storage terminals and wharf, container
handling and marine services. The privatisation programme had
also proved to be a success with significant improvements in
port productivity. The success of the Government’s privatisation
programme had indeed, placed Malaysia as Asia's leader in port
privatisation.

The success of KCT set the stage for the privatisation of other
Federal ports and utilities in the country. In December 1992,
Klang Port Management (KPM) took over the rest of the port
services from PKA under the second phase of the privatisation
programme. The privatisation of the two ports in Port Klang had
sharply improved the port’s productivity and gain the reputation
of Malaysia’s main gateway to the world. In September 2000, a
restructuring exercise was undertaken to consolidate the port
and logistics business by the majority shareholder of KCT and
KPM, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, a Malaysian investment
management company, resulting in the birth of NCB Holdings
Bhd.

In July 2001, KCT changed its name to Northport (Malaysia) Bhd
to reflect the new corporate identity and in November 2001, KCT
and KPM were successfully merged under one single brand
name, Northport.