KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 28): Port Klang handled a record 15.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, up 3.4% from the previous year, according to the World Top Container Ports (WTCP) 2026 ranking. This allowed Malaysia’s busiest port to retain its position as the world’s 10th busiest container port since it began operations in 1973.

According to a statement by WTCP publisher Container Management, growth came from all three major cargo streams. Imports were boosted by new electric vehicle (EV) models, while exports were supported by glass, automotive parts, gloves and furniture. Transhipment cargo made up about 55% of total throughput.

Several shipping-line changes also helped drive the increase. Gemini Cooperation boosted transhipment at Westports from February 2025, followed by Evergreen moving two services from Tanjung Pelepas to Port Klang in April. In October, Tailwind Shipping Lines chose Northport as its regional hub for intra-Asia trade.

"The fact that Westports operated at roughly 82% of capacity makes the CT10-to-CT17 expansion the single most important variable in Port Klang's next decade — the demand is arriving faster than the quay," Container Management at WTCP research analyst Lucas Wild said in the statement.

Globally, the top 10 ports remained unchanged. Shanghai stayed No 1 after handling a record 55.1 million TEUs (+6.9%), followed by Singapore with 44.7 million TEUs (+8.6%) and Ningbo-Zhoushan with 43.9 million TEUs (+11.6%).