Malaysian Ports Research Articles

Revisiting Malaysia’s port classification system in a complex operational environment to streamline the coordination and management of maritime ports

Malaysia's existing port classification method is confusing and inconsistent, especially in terms of specific lists of ports for each category. This makes it difficult to effectively apply the existing port classification system in Malaysia as the accuracy of the categories is unclear and questionable. An ineffective classification system not only affects the port coordination and benchmarking system but also leads to poor decision-making and ineffective port management. Therefore, this research aims to establish a strategic port classification model with proper definitions for the Malaysian context to overcome the above-mentioned issues. A hybrid multiphase mixed-methods approach was used to establish a proper port classification model that enables Malaysia to face complex environments. This research classified Malaysian ports into three categories; namely, primary, secondary, and tertiary; that have different conceptual definitions. This research provides alternative insights for port authorities and policymakers to enhance the national port coordination system and streamline the port classification system practised in Malaysia. A streamlined port classification system helps create a more efficient and effective way to communicate information about the country’s ports, leading to a better decision-making process and improved port management.

Empirical analysis on port state control inspection for foreign-registered ships in Malaysian ports

The selection of foreign-registered ships upon entering ports poses challenges to maritime authorities in ensuring the effectiveness of the port state control (PSC) inspection. The derived data from the ships' arrival notification system has been utilised in this study to identify the preferred vessel type for inspection. A combination of the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) model and Entropy Weight Method (EWM) has been applied to discern the various types of ships that entered five selected ports in Malaysia and disclose the propensity of each vessel type. Based on 100,623 ship arrival records obtained for a period of five years (2015–2019), the types of ships were identified, analysed, scored, and graded. The result shows that the oil tanker has the highest value of grey relational grade for Bintulu port while the passenger ship is in the pole position for Penang port. Kuching port and Port Kelang share the container type as the first in the ranking, whereas Lahad Datu posted the oil tanker. Other results include the sequence of types at individual ports for providing useful information to help policymakers in establishing an effective inspection design. A similar approach is applicable in PSC inspection records for further analysis.

Association rule mining for identification of port state control patterns in Malaysian ports

ABSTRACT Port State Control (PSC) inspection data is used for determining the inspection pattern of PSC in Malaysia and identifying the relationship between the inspection place, flag state, number of deficiency, detention result, and ship risk profile. Based on 8,089 inspection reports from 2015 to 2019, the mining association rule is proposed as a learning approach due to its determination pattern in the information bank. The learning of association rules of PSC inspections is performed primarily on the Apriori Algorithm, in order to produce alluring rules. Inspection patterns of Malaysian ports revealed that flag state, ship risk profile, and inspection place generally lead to no detention result, as well as zero deficiency recorded on-board. The reported quantity of detention was significantly related to the high number of deficiencies raised for ships registered under blacklisted countries. Furthermore, the analysis of deficiency discovered the pattern of inspection at Malaysian ports is frequently related to zero and a low number of deficiencies raised by inspectors. Lastly, five major ports were selected for providing a useful rule to help PSC officers in organising an effective inspection plan. A similar approach can also be used for other ports beyond Malaysia for comparative analysis.

Dataset for assessing the efficiency factors in Malaysian ports: Dry bulk terminal.

This research paper provides for the identification of dry bulk terminal efficiencies on the basis of 10 key performance factors in Malaysian ports. Data were collected from 18 dry bulk ports in Malaysia in 2017 through an online questionnaire and distributed via e-mail. The dispersion of the respondents corresponds approximately to the structure of the Malaysian maritime terminal in dry bulk. The data provides port management perceptions towards 10 variables that have been surveyed. Each perception assessed the level of efficiency factors based on a percentage rate of 100%. Efficiency factors in dry bulk terminals have been identified with varying characteristics based on a descriptive analysis table. The dataset presented consists of a brief analysis of all 10 variables involved, including the minimum, maximum, mean, interquartile median and standard deviation. In addition to the descriptive analysis, the normality test and histogram were also performed. Data can be used to measure ports-efficiency factors in another research.

Factors contributing to the imbalances of cargo flows in Malaysia large-scale minor ports using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) approach

Malaysian ports have been recording imbalances in cargo flows year after year, whether in the form of a deficit or surplus, and the condition is becoming significant. As such, it has raised concerns among port stakeholders about the impact of such a situation on the sustainability of port operations, as well as questions about the actual reasons behind the occurrence, which is still ambiguous with regard to large-scale minor ports in Malaysia. This study was aimed at identifying the main factors that are contributing to the imbalanced cargo flows at large-scale minor ports in Malaysia by ranking all the possible factors using a systematic decision-making technique known as FAHP. The results showed that “economic factors” are the main contributors to these imbalances, followed by several other factors. This study contributes a clear insight into the main factors that are causing the imbalances in cargo flows at large-scale minor ports in Malaysia. Also, it may assist decision-makers and policymakers in identifying the key factors that are affecting business operations at these ports as well as guide them into using a systematic analytical approach like the FAHP to evaluate other situations with regard to the business, operations and management of ports, where applicable.

Port Choice by Intra-Regional Container Service Operators: An Application of Decision-Making Techniques to Liner Services Between Malaysian and Other Asian Ports

Intra-regional container service operators are challenged to design regular and reliable liner services connecting regional ports at the lowest cost and shortest transit time while considering customer demand. This paper focuses on the selection of ports of call in regular intra-regional container services, an under-researched part of the container shipping market. A combination of decision-making techniques (i.e. Analytical Hierarchy Process, fuzzy link-based and Evidential Reasoning) are presented to assist intra-regional container service operators in selecting ports of call. The proposed methodology is empirically applied to container services between Malaysian and other nearby Asian ports. While Port Klang is the main gateway to Malaysia, the results show that other Malaysian ports should play a more prominent role in accommodating intra-Asian container services. This research can assist maritime stakeholders in evaluating intra-regional port-to-port liner service configurations. Furthermore, the novel mix of decision-making techniques complements and enriches existing academic literature on port choice and liner service configuration.

The Sustainable Port Classification Framework for Enhancing the Port Coordination System

The port classification framework is not only beneficial for highlighting the background of the ports, but can also be utilized in the benchmarking and comparison of port coordination systems. In Malaysia, the lack of concrete justifications in the existing port classification process had resulted in a debatable framework of port classification development and consequently, confusion among the port stakeholders. As such, this study is conducted with the aim of revising the Malaysian ports’ classification framework according to the global perspective of a sustainable port classification framework through the enhancement of its national port coordination system. By using a qualitative approach of descriptive analysis, the background of the port classification systems was not only analysed according to the Malaysian and global perspectives, the segregation of three different ports classes was also emphasized in the enhancement of the country's port coordination system. Apart from being a comprehensive reference that aids the academicians and stakeholders in the improvement of the existing loopholes in the Malaysian port coordination system, this paper had also offered a sustainable classification framework guideline for decision and policy-makers in the expansion of port competitiveness through a reclassification of the national port operations.

Phytoplankton community changes in Kuantan Port (Malaysia), with emphasis on the paralytic-shellfish toxin-producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamiyavanichii

The Kuantan Port (Pahang, Malaysia, South China Sea) is a multi-cargo port located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The port has served as an important seaway to major ports in Asia-Pacific regions. In November 2013 and August 2014, two incidents of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) have been consecutively reported in the Port. In this study, a field investigation was undertaken in the Port from April 2015 to May 2016 as an effort to continuously monitor the occurrence of HAB species following the PSP episodes in the year 2013–2014.Phytoplankton and hydrographic samples were collected for quantitative and qualitative assessments in a monthly interval. To precisely quantify the PSP-toxins producing species Alexandrium tamiyavanichii, a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was applied to detect the motile cells and cysts. The results revealed the presence of A. tamiyavanichii but with extremely low cell abundances (<0.1% of the total abundances). The species was found co-existed with other Alexandrium species. Alexandrium abundance was associated with salinity and nitrogen to phosphorus ratios but negatively correlated with PO4-P and NH4-N as revealed in the canonical correspondence analysis. Low cell abundances of diarrhetic-shellfish toxins producing dinoflagellates (Dinophysis spp.) and fish-killing species (Prorocentrum sigmoides, Akashiwo sanguinea, Noctiluca scintillans, Chattonella spp.) were also encountered in the port. The results of this study would provide useful baseline information for the assessment and management of ballast water in Malaysian ports and its territorial waters.

Decision making technique for analysing performance of Malaysian secondary ports

This paper aims to study the performance of the secondary ports in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) of Malaysia by analysing the selected criteria and sub-criteria involved. A total of 12 respondents were selected as the sample for the study and the data were analysed using a decision-making method that incorporated an analytical hierarchy process, fuzzy-link based approach and evidential reasoning. To analyse the performance of the secondary ports, five criteria were considered, which include: 1) operational; 2) physical; 3) shipping demand; 4) financial and 5) manpower performances. To realise this performance benchmarking, two secondary ports that were positioned on the ECER, namely, the Kemaman Port (Kemaman Supply Base) and Kertih Port were used as the case studies. The findings of this study showed that the operational and physical performances played a significant role in contributing to benchmark the performance of the secondary ports.

Attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infra-red spectral profiling of illicit heroin for forensic intelligence

An increasing source of illicit heroin, originating from the Golden Triangle or Afghanistan, has been shipped to other parts of Asia and to Oceania countries using Malaysian ports as transit hubs. Forensic drug profiling could provide useful information on the trafficking routes and the origin of drugs for intelligence purposes. This study is aimed at establishing the possible relationship among the heroin samples seized from different sources for predicting the trafficking network of illicit heroin in the northern region of Malaysia. One hundred and fifty-five seized heroin samples were analysed using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy and the resulting spectral data points were subjected to chemometric procedures. Principal component analysis revealed the formation of four different clusters of illicit heroin: samples of high purity, samples cut with polysaccharide and caffeine, as well as samples of very low purity. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the samples into ten sub-clusters suggesting analytically distinguishable variability among the samples. In comparison, ten representative heroin samples seized from central regions of Malaysia gave significantly different profiles, separating them from those obtained in the northern region. This comparative information offers beneficial forensic intelligence to prove the existence of different clusters of trafficking networks.

Selection of the most practical Malaysian port for enhancing the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park business trade

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the methodology for the selection of the most practical Malaysian port for enhancing the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) business trade. A selection is conducted using a combination decision-making method of analytical hierarchy process and evidential reasoning methods by considering five criteria namely: 1) distance; 2) journey time; 3) bunker cost; 4) port facilities; 5) distribution centre. A case study is constructed accordingly, whereby Shanghai Port has selected as a main port in China and four alternatives Malaysian ports namely: 1) Kuantan Port; 2) Johor Port; 3) Port Tanjung Pelepas; 4) Port Klang will be examined. The result shows that Kuantan Port is the most practical port for enhancing the MCKIP business trade compared to others hub ports in Malaysia. It is capable of helping China shipping liners enjoys the high cost saving for cargoes loading and discharging processes.

Type and Quantity of Shipborne Garbage at Selected Tropical Beaches.

Marine debris is widely distributed at the coastal area of the global oceans; however, shipborne garbage source studies are still lacking to document the pollution in Malaysia Territorial Water. Thus, this study has adopted a standard method of beach marine debris survey at five beaches and inspected 115 vessels to assess the type and amount of debris from shipping source stranded on the beach. This study found that vessel visiting Malaysian ports observed the MARPOL 73/78 Annex V requirements; however, identified objects from shipping activity (1.3%; 2 items/km) found on the beaches indicate that there are vessels disposing of garbage illegally at sea. Therefore, there is a need to promote the use of biodegradable material and introduce environmental education to increase awareness on the vessel.

Service quality determinants of the container haulage industry: an empirical study in Malaysia

The international shipping trade has emerged to be a growth enabler of globalisation, playing a crucial role in the economy and development of many countries, such as Malaysia. To support the industry, the Malaysian Government liberalised policies to develop the container haulage industry, but some issues still exist. The present study focuses on retention behaviour of consignees who use container haulage services in major Malaysian ports. The findings reveal that customers retain the same container haulage company provided overall service quality is maintained at an acceptable standard. The safety and security of goods transported by haulage companies are the highest priorities of customers. However, customers also reported that haulage service providers need to show professionalism in human resources competency, employee-customer relations, appropriate pricing for expected service delivery, and information databases.

The Implications of the Growth of Port Throughput on the Port Capacity: the Case of Malaysian Major Container Seaports

Malaysia, situated between East and West, is an interface in world maritime trade, playing a crucial role in the business of moving container boxes in South-eastern parts of Asia. The prominent container terminals in Malaysia such as Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas are positioned among the top twenty ports in terms of volume handled. The annual average growth of throughputs in Malaysian container ports increased more than three-fold from the year 2000 to 2010. Within this context, the development of Malaysian seaports has been significantly influenced by three forces: increased use of containerisation, significant growth in domestic economic activities and ever-changing patterns in both supply and demand chains, all of which have led to increased transshipment activities and altered shipping routes. This phenomenon has brought dynamic change to Malaysian container ports, resulting in the establishment of new terminals and adapting emerging technology to enhance the ports' ability to accommodate larger vessels and an increased number of containers. This paper aims to present the development of Malaysian container seaports by addressing changes to acreage size and handling volumes during the last three decades. The results of the analysis suggest that major Malaysian ports are experiencing an exponential growth in container trade with the expansion of port capacity following trade growth and need effective strategies to reduce the operational pressures of Malaysian seaports. The results of this research offer directions for development strategies of seaports by utilising the existing inland freight facilities as an effective strategy for capacity enhancement and develop efficient distribution network to meet future demands.

Port Performance of the Malay Peninsula: Focusing on the Malacca Strait

In the single-cargo market, the ordinary market share analysis method has been the representative tool for revealed competitiveness analysis. This paper develops and employs an applied market share index called the additive market share (AMS). Data are collected from 8 major ports for the 2001-2013 period. In comparison to the results of an ordinary market share analysis, there has been some fluctuation of the role of the Port of Singapore as the regional hub port though it still maintain its position. There are substitutable relationships between Singapore and the Malaysian ports in Malacca Strait. In Malacca Strait, Port Klang still leads the market in spite of the construction of PTP.

Port Performance of the Malay Peninsula: Focusing on the Malacca Strait

In the single-cargo market, the ordinary market share analysis method has been the representative tool for revealed competitiveness analysis. This paper develops and employs an applied market share index called the additive market share (AMS). Data are collected from 8 major ports for the 2001-2013 period. In comparison to the results of an ordinary market share analysis, there has been some fluctuation of the role of the Port of Singapore as the regional hub port though it still maintain its position. There are substitutable relationships between Singapore and the Malaysian ports in Malacca Strait. In Malacca Strait, Port Klang still leads the market in spite of the construction of PTP.

Natural uranium and thorium isotopes in sediment cores off Malaysian ports

Sediment cores collected from three Malaysian marine ports, namely, Kota Kinabalu, Labuan and Klang were analyzed to determine the radioactivities of 234U, 238U, 230Th, 232Th and total organic carbon (TOC) content. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors that control the activity of uranium isotopes and identify the possible origin of uranium and thorium in these areas. The activities of 234U and 238U show high positive correlation with TOC at the middle of sediment core from Kota Kinabalu port. This result suggests that activity of uranium at Kota Kinabalu port was influenced by organic carbon. The 234U/238U value at the upper layer of Kota Kinabalu port was ≥1.14 while the ratio value at Labuan and Klang port was ≤ 1.14. These results suggest a reduction process occurred at Kota Kinabalu port where mobile U(VI) was converted to immobile U(IV) by organic carbon. Therefore, it can be concluded that the major input of uranium at Kota Kinabalu port is by sorptive uptake of authigenic uranium from the water column whereas the major inputs of uranium to Labuan and Klang port are of detrital origin. The ratio of 230Th/232Th was used to estimate the origin of thorium. Low ratio value (lt; 1.5) at Labuan and Klang ports support the suggestion that thorium from both areas were come from detrital input while the high ratio (> 1.5) of 230Th/232Th at Kota Kinabalu port suggest the anthropogenic input of 230Th to this area. The source of 230Th is probably from phosphate fertilizers used in the oil-palm cultivation in Kota Kinabalu that is adjacent to the Kota Kinabalu port.

Improving Efficiency and Enhancing Productivity in Transporting Fertilizers by Using Conveyor Belt Cleaners

Conveyor belts are used widely to carry and transport various materials ranging from fertilizers to foods items from the cargo ship to the packaging site. Spillage and carryback problems are common issues relating to transportaion of these types of materials at Malaysian ports. This leads to lots of wastage in fertilizers and food. In addition, extra manual labour work is required to shovel the spillage into the container. This raises the concern of hygiene especially when relating to food items. Furthermore, improper washing and drainage system has also lead to corrosion on the floor. This has resulted in a lot of inefficient work and lack in productivity in the material handling system. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, primary and secondary belt cleaners were designed using CATIA software. These newly improved simple and cost effective designs of the primary and secondary belt cleaners together with a spray shaft and efficient washing box were fabricated, tested and implemented successfully. The spillage was eliminated and with the new washing system, corrosion on the floor can be prevented from occuring in the future.

Development, validation and determination of multiclass pesticide residues in cocoa beans using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

An efficient and rapid method for the analysis of pesticide residues in cocoa beans using gas and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed, validated and applied to imported and domestic cocoa beans samples collected over 2years from smallholders and Malaysian ports. The method was based on solvent extraction method and covers 26 pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) of different chemical classes. The recoveries for all pesticides at 10 and 50μg/kg were in the range of 70–120% with relative standard deviations of less than 20%. Good selectivity and sensitivity were obtained with method limit of quantification of 10μg/kg. The expanded uncertainty measurements were in the range of 4–25%. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for the routine analysis of pesticide residues in cocoa beans via a monitoring study where 10% of them was found positive for chlorpyrifos, ametryn and metalaxyl.

Capacity investment and efficiency cost estimations in major East Asian ports

This study applies an integrated suite of Data Envelopment Analysis models to investigate the various sources of efficiency contributing to the overall efficiency of major ports in Asia and estimates the amount of savings a port can potentially achieve through intelligent capital investments that promote a lean and fully efficient operation. Empirical results reveal that the Asia port industry is generally characterized by non-decreasing returns to scale. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Incheon and Singapore found to be operating at their most productive scales and are fully technical, scale and mix efficient. Competitiveness benchmarking analysis further shows that Japanese ports will benefit the most by reducing excess capacity and the associated financial commitments through economizing on the deployment of physical resources. Similarly, Busan port in Korea possesses significant potential to regain traffic from its Chinese competitors via cost reduction. However, the competitiveness of the Singapore and Hong Kong ports may be eroded as the Malaysian and Taiwanese ports remove their productivity slacks and improve cost efficiency.