Northport Breaks Cargo Record in September

KUALA LUMPUR: Northport (Malaysia) Bhd has set a new monthly record in September with 1.33 million freight weight tonnes (FWTs) of conventional cargo handled. This surpassed its previous record of 1.28 million FWTs in October 2024 and highlighted the resilience of Northport’s cargo operations amid changing trade conditions.

The record-breaking performance was driven by strong growth across all cargo segments. The break bulk segment recorded 375,169 FWTs in September, marking an increase of 18.6 per cent compared to September 2024, with iron and steel cargo contributing the highest volume of 289,629 FWTs. The liquid bulk segment achieved 399,086 FWTs, an increase of 27.3 per cent compared to September 2024, driven primarily by higher chemical cargo volumes totalling 220,147 FWTs.

The dry bulk segment recorded 439,003 FWTs, reflecting an increase of 38.7 per cent compared to September 2024, with maize contributing the highest volume of 122,223 FWTs. The roll-on roll-off (or RoRo) segment also registered strong growth, achieving 114,625 FWTs, representing an increase of 23.7 per cent compared to the same month last year.

Northport acting chief executive officer Nik Muzani Nik Abdul Aziz said the new milestone highlights the company’s operational strength and strategic positioning within Malaysia’s maritime ecosystem. “Despite ongoing challenges in the global supply chain, our team has once again demonstrated resilience and excellence in conventional cargo handling,” said Nik Muzani.

For the year-to-date (or YTD) period up to September, Northport’s conventional cargo handling stood at 9.6 million FWTs, reflecting a growth of 4.2 per cent over the same period in 2024. Northport handled a total of 12.69 million FWTs of conventional cargo in 2024, the highest annual volume recorded since its establishment in 2001. “As we move towards the final quarter of 2025, we will continue to focus on enhancing productivity, expanding our service capabilities, and supporting the nation’s trade growth through efficient and sustainable port operations,” Nik Muzani said. Northport remains one of Malaysia’s leading multi-purpose ports, offering a full spectrum of container and conventional cargo handling services.—NST Online