On 15 August 2024, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd (Northport), a member of MMC Group, Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn Bhd (Kuantan Port), a subsidiary of IJM Corporation Berhad and Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise collaborative efforts to ensure the realisation of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) land bridge connecting Kuantan Port to Port Klang, enhancing connectivity, seamless integration, efficiency and streamlining transfer of goods between the two ports.

YB Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia was present to witness the MoU signing between Dato’ Azman Shah Mohd Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of Northport, Lee Chun Fai, Chairman of Kuantan Port and Group CEO & Managing Director of IJM Corporation Berhad and Dato’ Sri Darwis Abdul Razak, Chief Executive Officer of MRL. The MoU signing ceremony was held during the Kuantan Port International Conference 2024, in conjunction with the 50^th Anniversary of Kuantan Port held at the Sultan Ahmad Shah International Convention Centre in Kuantan.

The MoU outlines a comprehensive collaboration among all parties to strengthen strategic partnership across several key areas. The collaboration includes the development of a strategic plan for establishing a seamlessly integrated land bridge connecting rail and port operations, which will facilitate efficient cargo movement between the two ports leveraging on the ECRL and reducing transit times. This partnership will also capitalise on the trade opportunities derived from the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the Halal Silk Route to bolster trade and investment links throughout Asia.

In addition to that, the partnership focuses on human capital development through the exchange of technical expertise to address industry challenges and advance operational capabilities. Northport’s NICE (Northport International Centre of Excellence), a training centre accredited by Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran and Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), will be utilised to provide extensive training programmes, enhancing skills and competencies across both ports.