NORTHPORT (M) Bhd plans to invest between RM60 and RM70 million to redevelop its South Port terminal.

The investment will be used to develop the South Port's one kilometre quayline, deepen its draft and establish a back-up area.

Northport plans to finance the venture via its own funds or a combination of borrowings and internal funds.

Northport managing director Datuk Basheer Hassan Abdul Kader said Northport is talking with the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to lease a portion of its land for the development.

Talks with the PKA started two weeks ago, and it is estimated that Northport will develop six hectares of land for the project.

Basheer said the South Port quayline is now used for short sea trade barges and its redevelopment would be along those lines.

On top of this, emphasis will be given to the additional things that can be done with South Port, like making it a hub for cars destined for Sabah and Sarawak.

"South point traditionally has been used for linking smaller ports like East Malaysian ports, Indonesia ports and others, so these areas are growing actually, and we are looking at how to develop it," Basheer said.

The development is expected to be completed in two years.