by TMR 

NORTHPORT (Malaysia) Bhd (Northport), a member of MMC Group, has achieved new annual throughput records in both its container and conventional cargo business segments. 

As of Nov 27, 2024, Northport handled a total of 3,328,508 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of containers, surpassing its previous annual record of 3,324,364 TEUs set in 2021. 

A day later, the company also broke its conventional cargo record, handling 11,434,814 FWTs (Freight Weight Tonnes), exceeding the previous annual record of 11,405,312 FWTs achieved in 2023.

Former Northport CEO Datuk Azman Shah Mohd Yusof said 2024 has been challenging for the port and shipping industry, driven by global factors such as geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region. 

“These disruptions have significantly impacted global trade routes and port operations, prompting liners to make ad-hoc calls to other ports. 

“Despite these challenges, with an increase in ad-hoc calls and the introduction of new services calling at Northport, we are proud to have achieved extraordinary milestones in both container and conventional cargo throughput with record breaking performance in 2024, with one month still to go,” he said in a statement.

Azman recently assumed a new position within MMC Group as CEO of MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd (MMC Ports), effective Dec 1, 2024.

Northport has marked a historic year in 2024 with remarkable achievements across its container and conventional cargo operations. 

In March 2024, Northport set a new record for the highest break bulk cargo handling from a single vessel through the successful handling of 48,853 FWTs of steel cargo from a conventional cargo vessel, MV Jin Chao. 

This surpassed its previous record of 47,246 FWTs, handled from MV Wu Yi Hai in May 2022.

Northport also welcomed the largest ever container vessel to berth at its facilities, MV OOCL Japan, on May 20, 2024. The vessel boasts a capacity of 21,413 TEUs, surpassing the previous largest ship to call at Northport, Eugen Maersk, which had a capacity of 11,000 TEUs in 2013.

In May 2024, Northport achieved another milestone, handling 335,361 TEUs, the highest monthly container throughput in its history at the time. 

The port’s achievements continued with a double record-breaking performance in July 2024, as Northport recorded its highest-ever monthly container throughput of 354,548 TEUs, surpassing the May 2024 record. 

Meanwhile, its conventional cargo segment handled 1,143,318 FWTs, breaking the previous monthly record of 1,129,145 FWTs set in October 2023.

The momentum carried into August 2024, with Northport breaking records for the second consecutive month. 

The company achieved a historic monthly container throughput of 365,558 TEUs, surpassing the July 2024 milestone. Northport also broke its conventional cargo monthly record, handling 1,145,021 FWTs, exceeding the previous month’s performance.

In September 2024, Northport once again set a new record for the highest break bulk cargo handling from a single vessel with the handling of 52,480 FWTs of steel cargo from a conventional cargo vessel, MV African Blackbird. This achievement surpassed its previous record of 48,853 FWTs set in March 2024.

Over the last three years, Northport has consistently delivered record-breaking performances in both its container and conventional cargo segments. 

In 2021, the company achieved an all-time high container throughput with 3,324,364 TEUs, surpassing the previous record of 3,305,764 TEUs set in 2010. In 2022, Northport set another milestone in its conventional cargo business segment, handling 11,115,670 FWTs, the highest conventional cargo achievement in a single year since 2000. 

Last year, the company successfully surpassed its 2022 conventional cargo record, achieving a new high of 11,405,312 FWTs.

“I am incredibly proud of TeamNorthport for the exceptional achievements we have accomplished together. All the improvements, enhancements and innovations that we have carried out during our Reinventing Northport programme since 2016 in our quest to be a Safer, Greener, Smarter and Better port has led to success after success.

“These milestones would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our employees, the continued trust and support of our customers, and the invaluable collaboration with our stakeholders. With their continued support, we look forward to closing the year on a high note, laying the foundation for more success in the future,” Azman said.