NORTHPORT INKS DEAL TO ACQUIRE NEW QUAY CRANES

PORT KLANG, 16 December 2024 – Northport (Malaysia) Bhd (“Northport”), a member of MMC Group has signed an agreement to acquire four units of Super Post Panamax Container Handling Ship-To-Shore Gantry Crane (“Quay Cranes”) from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (“ZPMC”).

The agreement was signed by Northport’s Chief Executive Officer, Fakhrul Azhar Tajudin and ZPMC’s President, Zhu Xiaohuai, during a signing ceremony held at Northport on 16 December 2024. Senior management teams from both Northport and ZPMC were present to witness the signing event.

The signing seals Northport’s commitment to enhancing its terminal handling capabilities to efficiently serve larger and more advanced container vessels. Two of these new Quay Cranes boast a 24-container outreach, twin-lift capability, and a lifting capacity of 65 tonnes, adding to Northport’s existing cranes capable of handling Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV). For the record, on 20 May 2024, Northport welcomed the MV OOCL Japan, a ULCV with a capacity of 21,413 TEUs, the largest ever container vessel to berth at its facilities.

Meanwhile, the other two new Quay Cranes feature an 18-container outreach, twin-lift handling capability and a lifting capacity of 55 tonnes. Manufacturing by ZPMC is set to commence in December 2024, with delivery to Northport expected in the second quarter of 2026.

“The acquisition of these new Quay Cranes complements the ongoing upgrading of Northport’s Wharf 9, which is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2026. This strategic investment will significantly enhance our handling capacity and operational efficiency, while reinforcing our commitment to technological innovation and safety,” said Fakhrul.

He added, “Our partnership with ZPMC aligns with our strategic goals under the ‘Reinventing Northport’ programme to continuously upgrade our infrastructure and facilities, ensuring the Company remains relevant and capable of meeting our customers’ evolving needs”.

The ‘Reinventing Northport’ programme, initiated in 2016 following the takeover of Northport by MMC Corporation Berhad, aims to enhance terminal facilities, upgrade equipment and strengthen Northport’s competencies to improve customer satisfaction and drive business growth.

Among the completed projects under the programme are the acquisition of six new quay cranes from ZPMC, fully delivered in 2019, the acquisition of 34 units of new Rubber-Tyred Gantry (“RTG”) cranes, including 11 Electrified Rubber-Tyred Gantry (“E-RTGs”) in 2023, and an additional 12 units of new E-RTGs to be fully delivered by the first quarter of 2025. Other completed projects include the construction of Northport Distripark Sdn Bhd (NDSB) 2 warehouses, a modern facility spanning 349,771 square feet in 2021, and the development of a new container yard, Block J, in 2023. In September this year, Northport announced the completion of its latest container yard, Block K, to enhance its terminal capacity. This initiative is a crucial part of Northport’s strategy to increase terminal capacity to accommodate growing business demands and improve operational efficiency.

ZPMC is a heavy equipment manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai, China. The company operates six production bases in Jiangsu Province, covering a total area of 6.7 million square meters with over 10 kilometres of coastline. ZPMC’s business encompasses multiple sectors, including port machinery, marine heavy industries, major steel structures and offshore wind power. ZPMC’s products have been deployed in 108 countries and regions, supported by 8 regional hubs and 28 overseas offices.

“We greatly appreciate the unwavering support of the MMC Group and Northport, which has been instrumental in strengthening our partnership over the years. Northport is one of our valued and trusted partners, and we look forward to deepening this collaboration. Together, we aim to contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth and advance trade across Southeast Asia,” said Zhu Xiaohuai.

“Our continued commitment on enhancing port infrastructure and facilities demonstrates our unwavering dedication to growth, efficiency and customer service. With these new Quay Cranes, we are not only addressing today’s shipping challenges but also preparing for future demands. This ensures that Northport remains competitive in the global maritime ecosystem,” said Fakhrul.