BUTTERWORTH (Sept 20): The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is planning to build an additional railway track at Penang Port to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce traffic congestion in the surrounding area.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the project involves extending the existing track from 500 metres to 1,010 metres, to allow all railway carriages or wagons to be fully loaded within the port area without disrupting nearby roads.

“This proposal is currently being drafted. Our priority is to implement the project as soon as possible to achieve two key objectives. First, having the full track inside the port will increase efficiency in container loading operations and secondly, to prevent rail carriages from spilling over onto public roads.

“At present, the track can only accommodate around 30 out of 50 carriages, leaving the remaining 20 outside the port area and causing traffic disruptions during the loading process,” he told reporters after launching the Professional Advancement in Trucking and Haulage (PATH) Programme here on Saturday.

The programme, developed by the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) through the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) in collaboration with MOT, was also attended by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.

Loke said the conventional method, which requires budget approval and tender processes, often takes too long.

As such, MOT has opted for a strategic partnership approach to implement the project more quickly and cost-effectively, he said, adding that the ministry was also in discussions with port operators, including MMC Ports and Penang Port, to share the implementation costs.

He said the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) would also play a role in providing existing materials and assets, such as used tracks and 'slippers' that could be reused, thus saving on construction costs.

Meanwhile, Loke said the PATH programme was introduced specifically to increase the capacity of existing haulier drivers nationwide, including at Penang Port.

PATH, he said, is a high-impact initiative that includes structured training and professional certification, in line with efforts to strengthen the country's logistics and transport sector.

He said the government has allocated RM2.5 million for the programme, which will benefit more than 1,000 participants nationwide, where at Penang Port, 200 participants will undergo intensive training covering the E Licence, Joint E GDL, and safety and work ethics modules.

“This programme is aimed at addressing the shortage of haulier drivers and improving port efficiency through more competent lorry drivers. In turn, it will smooth cargo delivery operations and create new jobs and income opportunities, especially for youth and local workers in the fast-growing logistics sector,” he said.

Loke said that currently, drivers at the port are allowed to operate trucks within controlled areas without an E licence, but they cannot drive on public roads.

“The main barrier for them to obtain the licence is the high cost, and this programme is designed to overcome that challenge,” he said.

By : Chng Shear Lane