Port Klang tariff remains competitive in region, says PKA chief
KUALA LUMPUR: The Port Klang Authority (PKA) today clarified that its tariff rates will remain among the most competitive in the region.
Its general manager, K Subramaniam, said that even after the staggered increases are fully implemented in 2027, Port Klang's tariffs will still be between 5.0 per cent and 185 per cent lower than those of other ASEAN ports.
Refuting claims by several parties regarding the recent tariff revision, Subramaniam said Port Klang's overall cost competitiveness reinforces its strategic role as the preferred logistics and transshipment hub for global logistics and distribution centres.
'In Port Klang's latest tariff revision, a comprehensive benchmarking exercise was conducted against neighbouring and regional ports. Despite the revision, Port Klang's tariff rates will remain among the most competitive in the region.
'The overall cost competitiveness reinforces Port Klang's strategic positioning as the preferred logistics and transshipment hub for global logistics and distribution centres,' said Subramaniam in a statement on Monday (June 16).
He clarified that it was incorrect to assume all container volumes in Port Klang would be subject to the full increase, as this ignores key factors such as phased implementation, free storage periods, and the fact that a significant portion of cargo is transshipment, which is priced differently.
He added that the last tariff review was conducted a decade ago, and storage rates have remained unchanged for nearly six decades.
Subramaniam said that at just RM4 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), the storage rate has remained unchanged since 1966. This has been a major contributor to yard congestion, as the port has been used as a low-cost, long-term storage option, leading to inefficient use of terminal facilities.
He said the revised charges are aimed at improving cargo turnaround by discouraging long-term storage and easing yard congestion, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
To this end, Subramaniam noted that port users who move containers within the free storage period would not be affected by the targeted increases.
'The revised rates consider contemporary logistics solutions within the supply chain and support responsible storage usage in the ports, thereby facilitating more productive and efficient operations,' he added.
Far from undermining Malaysia's competitiveness, he said the tariff revision is designed to strengthen Port Klang's position as a regional logistics hub by enabling continued investment in capacity, technology and sustainability. This will ultimately benefit manufacturers, exporters and importers, and advance Malaysia's trade ecosystem.
'The Port Klang tariff revision is a measured and necessary step to ensure long-term service quality, operational efficiency and infrastructure readiness.
'Before the tariff was approved, a comprehensive and detailed study was undertaken. As a result, the quantum of the rate increase was reduced and implemented through a staggered three-year plan,' he said.
In response to concerns that the revision would significantly raise consumer goods prices, PKA clarified that port charges represent only a small fraction of the total cost to consumers.
'Typically, a 20-foot container carrying 20 tonnes of cargo will see an increase in handling charges of just 0.45 sen per kilogram,' he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Sales tax may pressure planters' competitiveness
PETALING JAYA: The competitiveness of the local palm oil industry will likely be eroded by the implementation of the expanded sales and service tax in July, analysts say. The tax will increase raw material costs, although some of the additional cost may be passed on to buyers, says CIMB Research. Major listed plantation companies with palm oil operations in Malaysia include SD Guthrie Bhd , FGV Holdings Bhd , Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd , IOI Corp Bhd and Wilmar International Ltd. 'Overall, we are slightly negative on the indicative 5% sales tax on crude palm kernel oil for Malaysian palm oil players, although the industry may seek a government waiver if the tax undermines local competitiveness against Indonesia,' said CIMB Research in a report yesterday. The research house said it understands from the Malaysian Palm Oil Association and planters that fresh fruit bunches (FFB) will be exempted from the 5% sales tax, despite being listed among taxable goods. 'This is because the sales tax applies only to the manufacturing sector, and FFB is classified as a locally harvested raw material intended for further processing rather than a manufactured product,' CIMB Research said. However, palm kernel oil, refined, bleached and deodorised palm kernel oil and palm kernel shell have been reclassified from tax-exempt goods to those subject to a 5% sales tax under the Sales Tax Order 2025. It remains unclear whether the industry will seek exemptions for these products, added the research house. Meanwhile, CIMB Research said the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal for 5.61 billion gallons of biodiesel under a mandate for next year is supportive of demand for edible oil and crude palm oil (CPO) prices, as the mandate will help sustain US consumption of edible oils. 'We maintain our CPO price forecast of RM4,200 per tonne for this year and reiterate our sector top picks, IOI and Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd ,' said the research house. For next year, the EPA has set a target of 7.12 billion biomass-based diesel renewable identification numbers (RINs), which is expected to translate into 5.61 billion gallons of actual biodiesel blended that year. 'This target is expressed in RINs, in line with the EPA's broader objective to limit the number of RINs generated from imported biofuels,' CIMB Research said. As a result, the EPA now projects that each gallon of biomass-based diesel will generate 1.27 RINs in 2026 and 1.28 RINs in 2027, down from the previous estimate of 1.6 RINs. In comparison, the 2025 biomass-based diesel volume mandate stood at just 3.35 billion gallons, a level widely criticised by the industry as inadequate. Notably, the 2026 blending target of 5.61 billion gallons for biomass-based diesel volume exceeds the 5.25 billion gallons requested by the industry. 'We are positive on the proposed 2026 mandate, as fulfilling the 5.61 billion gallons or 19.2 million tonnes of biodiesel would support the use of edible oils as feedstock to meet the US biodiesel requirement. For context, US biodiesel production last year stood at around 16 million tonnes.' The final rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets in the United States is expected to be published by the end of this year. Under the RFS, oil refiners are required to either blend substantial volumes of biofuels into the US fuel supply or purchase compliance credits known as RINs from others who exceed their blending obligations. Small refiners may apply for exemptions if they can demonstrate that complying with the mandate would cause undue economic hardship. The proposal reflects a significant shift in biomass-based diesel requirements, noted CIMB Research.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
FMM urges clarity, dialogue on port tariff hike
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) remains concerned that the scale and timing of the recent port tariff hikes without detailed cost disclosures or comprehensive stakeholder consultation may place an undue burden on industry. In response to the explanations provided by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) in its press statement dated June 16, 2025, FMM said given the wide-ranging implications for trade, investment and the cost of doing business, it believes the rationale for the revision warrants further scrutiny. "FMM fully respects the right of all stakeholders, including PKA, to present and defend their positions. Constructive dialogue is essential to national development. "However, given the wide-ranging implications of this tariff hike, especially amid broader cost escalations and global uncertainties, we believe it is time to move beyond justification and toward pragmatic resolution," said FMM president Tan Seri Datuk Soh Thian Lai. Soh said the federation disagrees on PKA points that Port Klang's tariff rates will remain among the most competitive in the region. While Port Klang's official handling tariff of RM390 (approximately US$92 per TEU) may appear lower on paper, he said this figure does not reflect the actual cost borne by Malaysian shippers. "Terminal Handling Charges (THC) are not billed directly by port operators to shippers; instead, they are imposed by shipping lines, often with significant mark-ups. "Current publicly available rates by shipping lines show that Malaysian shippers are already paying an average of RM480 per 20-foot container, well above the existing RM300 port handling charge. "Increasing the tariff to RM390 without structural reform will effectively give shipping lines the latitude to raise THC further, potentially reaching the real-world cost range of US$120 to 130 per TEU," he said. Meanwhile, Soh pointed out that port operators face cost pressures like other industries, but it questions whether the proposed tariff hike is truly warranted given current financial and regulatory contexts. Under existing concession agreements, the costs associated with port development and infrastructure are contractually required to be fully borne by port operators, he said. As for the PKA's claims that relative to other increases, port charges are a small fraction of the total cost that consumers will ultimately bear indirectly, FMM disagrees with the narrow framing of cost impact based solely on per-kilogram increments. While PKA's micro-level calculation may appear negligible, he said it overlooks the broader and more significant issue, such as the cumulative cost burden placed on Malaysian exporters, importers and manufacturers. "PKA's analysis fails to acknowledge that logistics costs are already among the highest contributors to the cost of doing business in Malaysia. "The impact of a 30 per percent increase in container handling charges and a 200–243 per cent hike in storage charges cannot be minimised by simplistic per-unit cost metrics. "FMM reiterates that the evaluation of port tariff adjustments must be done holistically, accounting for their multiplier effect across the supply chain and national economy," he said. In addition, Soh said FMM reiterates that claims of "modest" increases are not supported by the quantum of the adjustments, which are among the steepest seen in recent memory. Without detailed, he said, transparent cost justifications, these increases will be viewed as revenue maximisation at the expense of trade facilitation. "Maintaining investor confidence and trade momentum requires a holistic approach where competitiveness is grounded in predictable pricing, stakeholder consultation and a transparent cost-recovery framework. "FMM urges the authorities to defer the hike and engage the industry in reassessing a sustainable, accountable tariff structure aligned with national economic goals," he added.
Malay Mail
14 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Port Klang Authority defends tariff revision, says move curbs yard congestion, boosts efficiency
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — The Port Klang Authority (PKA) yesterday clarified that its tariff rates will remain among the most competitive in the region. Its general manager, K Subramaniam, said that even after the staggered increases are fully implemented in 2027, Port Klang's tariffs will still be between 5.0 per cent and 185 per cent lower than those of other Asean ports. Refuting claims by several parties regarding the recent tariff revision, Subramaniam said Port Klang's overall cost competitiveness reinforces its strategic role as the preferred logistics and transshipment hub for global logistics and distribution centres. 'In Port Klang's latest tariff revision, a comprehensive benchmarking exercise was conducted against neighbouring and regional ports. Despite the revision, Port Klang's tariff rates will remain among the most competitive in the region. 'The overall cost competitiveness reinforces Port Klang's strategic positioning as the preferred logistics and transshipment hub for global logistics and distribution centres,' said Subramaniam in a statement yesterday. He clarified that it was incorrect to assume all container volumes in Port Klang would be subject to the full increase, as this ignores key factors such as phased implementation, free storage periods, and the fact that a significant portion of cargo is transshipment, which is priced differently. He added that the last tariff review was conducted a decade ago, and storage rates have remained unchanged for nearly six decades. Subramaniam said that at just RM4 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), the storage rate has remained unchanged since 1966. This has been a major contributor to yard congestion, as the port has been used as a low-cost, long-term storage option, leading to inefficient use of terminal facilities. He said the revised charges are aimed at improving cargo turnaround by discouraging long-term storage and easing yard congestion, thereby enhancing operational efficiency. To this end, Subramaniam noted that port users who move containers within the free storage period would not be affected by the targeted increases. 'The revised rates consider contemporary logistics solutions within the supply chain and support responsible storage usage in the ports, thereby facilitating more productive and efficient operations,' he added. Far from undermining Malaysia's competitiveness, he said the tariff revision is designed to strengthen Port Klang's position as a regional logistics hub by enabling continued investment in capacity, technology and sustainability. This will ultimately benefit manufacturers, exporters and importers, and advance Malaysia's trade ecosystem. 'The Port Klang tariff revision is a measured and necessary step to ensure long-term service quality, operational efficiency and infrastructure readiness. 'Before the tariff was approved, a comprehensive and detailed study was undertaken. As a result, the quantum of the rate increase was reduced and implemented through a staggered three-year plan,' he said. In response to concerns that the revision would significantly raise consumer goods prices, PKA clarified that port charges represent only a small fraction of the total cost to consumers. 'Typically, a 20-foot container carrying 20 tonnes of cargo will see an increase in handling charges of just 0.45 sen per kilogram,' he added. — Bernama
