Council to coordinate management of country's ports to be formed

The Government has agreed to set up the National Port Council to coordinate the management of ports nationwide.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said further details on the matter would be announced later and that the setting up of the council, to be chaired by him, would not jeopardise the functions of existing port authorities.

"The cabinet and the National Economic Council have approved the formation of the National Port Council to coordinate matters pertaining to management of ports to further promote them at international level to attract more clients," he added.

Ong was speaking to reporters after the award-giving ceremony for excellent achievements in the world standings of top container ports of the world near here Thursday.

At the function, the country's two leading ports, Port Klang and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) were honoured for being in the list of the world's best 20 ports last year.

Port Klang was ranked 14th, from 15th in 2008, while PTP moved up to 17th last year, from 18th the previous year.

Source: The Star