Port Klang has been recognised as one of the world’s busiest container ports after leading maritime industry publication Lloyd’s List ranked it among the Top 10 Ports for the first time.
Coming in at number 10, Port Klang also surpassed Hong Kong in Lloyd’s Top 100 Ports list, a feat that underscores Malaysia’s strength as an emerging maritime powerhouse.
Shanghai, Singapore and Ningbo-Zhoushan were the top three busiest ports in this year’s list.
Founded in 1734, Lloyd’s List currently operates as a digital publication that provides news, analysis, data, and insight for the global shipping, maritime, trade, and insurance sectors.
“This achievement is especially meaningful as it coincides with the nation’s 68th National Day celebration, symbolising resilience, unity, and progress on the international stage,” the transport ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Port Klang has seen a steady rise in its global port rankings in recent years, climbing from 13th in 2022 to 11th in 2023, before moving up a notch this year.
Port Klang handled 14.64 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, a 4.1% increase compared with 14.06 million TEUs in 2023.
The ministry said Port Klang is expected to handle 14.98 million TEUs in 2025, further strengthening its standing as a leading global hub.
Growth was driven by a robust 8.9% increase in import and export activities, reflecting Malaysia’s solid trade fundamentals, the ministry added.
Port Klang’s rapid progress is being driven by large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at boosting capacity and efficiency.
At Westports, the expansion of terminals CT10–CT17 is under way and is expected to double handling capacity from 14 million TEUs to 28 million TEUs by 2028.
Meanwhile, Northport is upgrading Wharf 9 and its related facilities to accommodate larger vessels and manage higher cargo volumes more effectively.
Looking further ahead, the Carey Island Project represents a long-term mega development that could transform the region’s role in global trade.
With the potential to reach 30 million TEUs in annual capacity by 2060, it positions Port Klang as a future powerhouse in maritime logistics, ensuring sustained growth and competitiveness in the global shipping industry.
Complementing Port Klang’s rise into the global top 10, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) held steady in 15th place worldwide since 2023. PTP recorded a strong performance in 2024, handling 12.25 million TEUs, a 16.9% increase from 10.48 million TEUs the previous year.
Together, Port Klang and PTP solidify Malaysia’s position as the fifth-largest country in the world by container throughput in 2024. It also enhances Malaysia’s strategic importance along the Straits of Malacca, one of the busiest and most vital shipping lanes in the world.
