Port Klang

 

Overview

Port Klang is a town and the principal port in Malaysia. It is located in the Strait of Malacca midway between the ports of Penang and Singapore on the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Its strategic location close to tin and rubber reserves resulted in power struggles between many Rajas to control the reserves and their export into the western society where demand was increasing. The Selangor Civil War was a result and eventually the British intervened taking control. The railroad built in 1886 by Malayan Railway, enhanced it as the export point for tin, rubber and coffee.

The modern port was constructed and opened in 1901 as Port Swettenham. Within two months, an outbreak of malaria forced operations at the port to shut down. Once the mosquito breeding grounds were eradicated the operations resumed and grew exponentially with major development and expansion between World War I and II. The airfields in Port Swettenham were used to service allied aircrafts during World War II. In 1963, the Port Klang Authority (PKA) was established and took control of Port Klang from the Malayan Railway Administration. PKA administered three Port Klang areas: Northport, Southpoint and Westport. Privatization of port facilities began in 1886, and today Northport and Westport are privately operated. PKA oversees trade facilitation, port planning and regulates services. Klang Container Terminal (KCT) and Klang Port Management (KPM) are based in Northport. Pulau Indah houses the Westport which has the tourist port, Port Klang Cruise Centre.

Property Types

Properties such as warehouses, storage tanks, factories, industrial land and offices dominate the area with apartments in the residential area.

Amenities and Facilities

During early May, the celebration of the Chitirai Pournami Hindu Festival by devotees can be observed near the train station. Port Klang like other coastal areas is popular for the assortment of tantalizing seafood offered by restaurants lining the streets and also built on stilts in the water. Pulau Ketam has its village entirely built on stilts and can be reached in 45 minutes by ferry. The all-inclusive wholesale city, GM Klang, is just 15 minutes away. Other amenities include many primary and secondary schools, many masjids, churches, Hindu temples, police stations, post offices, banks, AEON shopping mall and a KTM train station at Southpoint.

Accessibility and Transportation

Port Klang, about 6 km from Klang and about 38 km from Kuala Lumpur, is linked to all major centres in Klang Valley via the Federal Highway. Pulau Indah is accessible via South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and Pulau Indah Expressway which connects to KESAS highway. An elevated highway connecting Southpoint and Northport also connects to KESAS highway. From Indonesia, it is accessible via ferry which docks at the Passenger Cruise Terminal close to the Federal Highway.