developing countries , low-cost and efficient maritime transport has an essential role to play in growth and sustainable development .”
Ports are acknowledged by many Governments as instrumental for national economic development . Often regarded as national pride , ports also function as national gateways for trade and commerce . This reason alone has encouraged many countries to invest in port infrastructure and Malaysia is no exception . Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad emphasised their significance in his speech at the IAPH ' s World Port Conference in Kuala Lumpur in May 1999 4 , “ No matter how information technology advances , world trade cannot materialise without ports . This is exactly why every country needs to develop much more advanced and efficient ports for their prosperity .”
That statement clearly endorsed Malaysia ’ s commitment on port development that picked up pace from the Third Malaysia Plan ( 1976 ) where Government policies have favoured the port industry . This has stimulated the growth of ports in Malaysia and has seen the emergence of world class ports such as Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas ( PTP ).
Background
Malaysia has a long history with ports and sea trade . Naturally located in one of the world ’ s busiest sea routes — the Straits of Malacca and Singapore — Malaysia is favoured by trading ships as a port of call . This was evident from the Melaka Sultanate era circa 15 th Century , when Melaka was the centre of the global spice trade .
Ports under Port Authority Port Authorities Act 1963 , Penang Port Commission Act 1953 , Bintulu Port Authority Act 1980 , Port Authorities Ordinance ( Sarawak ) 1961 , Sabah Ports Authority Enactment 1981
Ports Under Marine Department Malaysia Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 ( Peninsular Malaysia ), Merchant Shipping Ordinance ( Sabah ) 1960 , & Merchant Shipping Ordinance ( Sarawak ) 1960
This continued during the Portuguese , Dutch and English occupations , and later was followed by the opening of Penang Port and Port Klang ( previously known as Port Swettenham ).
Today , many more ports have been established throughout the 4,675km long coastline of Malaysia . The six major ports are Port Klang , Penang Port , Port of Tanjung Pelepas , Johor Port , Kuantan Port and Bintulu Port . Together , these ports accounted for 43.7 % of Malaysia ’ s total external trade in 2019 or RM800 billion in value compared to RM1.835 trillion in total external trade value 5 . As more than 98 % of Malaysia ’ s trade is transported by sea , ports and shipping are obviously of great value to Malaysia 6 .
Economy-wise , ports are important to Malaysia for the following reasons :
1 . Facilitate national trade and act as gateways to international markets ;
2 . Provide employment , whether directly or indirectly ;
3 . Generate ancillary business activities such as agency services , support services , bunkering and ship supplies , ship repair , warehousing , depot and haulage , finance and banking , education , training and legal services ; and
4 . Significant contributor to the national economy , where value of trade through ports amounts to about 50 % of GDP annually .
Governance-wise , the Federal Constitution places ports under Federal matters for Peninsular Malaysia and under the administration of State Governments in Sabah and Sarawak . Ports are either regulated by a port authority or by the Marine Department . The institutional structure and the legal provisions are summarised below :
Federal Ports : Teluk Ewa Port , Penang Port , Port Klang , Melaka , Port of Tanjung Pelepas , Pasir Gudang Port , Kuantan Port , Kemaman Port , Bintulu Port & Labuan Port Sarawak State : Kuching Port , Rajang Port , Tanjung Manis Port & Miri Port Sabah State : Kota Kinabalu , Sepangar Bay , Sandakan , Tawau , Lahad Datu & Kunak
Kuala Perlis , Kuala Kedah , Langkawi , Pangkor , Lumut , Port Dickson , Sungai Udang , Kerteh & Tok Bali
13