Malaysian ports eye rerouted cargo, even as Middle East tensions at Hormuz risk congestion

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s main transhipment hubs, Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), could see cargo diverted to them amid the Middle East conflict, but industry players warn that the more immediate risk is congestion from delayed vessels, stranded containers and disrupted schedules.

The tension is already visible. Port Klang Authority general manager Captain K Subramaniam told The Business Times that the port was operating normally with no sign of congestion or disruption. But the Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (Masa) said that ships were already rerouting, vessel stays were lengthening, and ports could face congestion in both ships and cargoes.

Port Klang and PTP are natural candidates to absorb diverted traffic because both handle substantial Asia-Europe cargo volumes. But Kenanga Research said in a Mar 12 report that Westports had indicated 80 per cent of shipping lines were still arriving outside scheduled times, suggesting that networks were already under strain even before the latest Hormuz shock.