Experts predict that the growth rate for container throughput at Malaysia's Port Klang will slow this year, representing 11 per cent growth over the previous year, but down from the 13 per cent increase in 2006.

Last year, Port Klang terminals, Northport and Westports, collectively handled 6.3 million TEU, up from 5.5 million TEU in 2005, reports The New Straits Times.

Within the total container trade for 2007, Westports is expected to handle 60 per cent of the throughput or 4.2 million TEU.

Port Klang's general cargo is expected to grow 11-12 per cent this year to about 121 million tonnes, owing to the two terminal operators' efforts to make improvements to existing berths and install new port equipment to improve efficiency. Further moves are afoot to dredge the port to accommodate larger vessels.

"The region is experiencing growth (in container traffic) and Port Klang is confident of being able to get a piece of the cake," said Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Datin Paduka O C Phang.

Port Klang has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South Korea's Incheon Port to become sister ports to bolster the exchange of information and the flow of trade, traffic and services between them, the report said. It noted that trade between Malaysia and South Korea amounted to about 142,000 TEU in 2006.

Port Klang handled 22,000 TEU from Incheon last year, up from 16,000 TEU in 2005.