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Infinity Logistics and
Transport Sdn Bhd has invested RM20mil in its
new “freight village” that is set to provide
cost-efficient logistics solutions for exporters
and importers in the current challenging market.
The freight village also gives its customers
some preparation time in view of the shorter
free storage period for containers via Port
Klang to three days from five days effective Jan
1.
Free storage period is the “window time” given
by port operators to importers to clear goods
after vessel arrivals or for exporters to send
goods before vessel arrivals at the ports
without any charges.
After that period, storage fee will be imposed
on a daily basis per container.
The 4.4ha freight village, equipped with a
10-tonne overhead crane and two laden-reach
stackers, is a transit point for containers to
be distributed through various modes of
transportation (multimodal).
This is because the freight village, located in
Port Klang, has its own rail terminal via KTM
landbridge services and the equipment for
loading containers onto trucks.
It is also adjacent to both Northport and
Westport for convenient sea transport.
Managing director Chan Kong Yew told StarBiz
that the volatility of energy price and the
current economic situation had prompted Infinity
to come up with the freight village concept.
“Compared to using haulage service, our rail
terminal service is cost efficient for
hinterland cargo transportation to our freight
village that will then be stuffed into
containers for export,” Chan said. “Imported
goods can also be transported via the same
method.”
The freight village also integrated Infinity’s
main core businesses, namely land logistics,
non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC),
freighting and container bulk business, Chan
said.
NVOCC is a cargo consolidator of small shipments
in ocean trade that can issue a bill of lading,
the official legal document representing
ownership of cargo.
Infinity’s container bulk business involves the
usage of flexitank to be fitted into containers
for liquid cargo such as most types of oil,
lubricants, printing inks, emulsions, latex,
wine and dairy products.
For hauliers, the freight village can also
create business opportunities by providing
return cargo after delivering goods at the
freight village instead of going back empty.
Chan said this was due to the efficient freight
village system and capacity that could
accommodate 500 laden twenty-foot equivalent
units (TEUs) at any one time.
As a value-add service, Infinity had teamed up
with Singapore-based New Eng Kong, an expert in
container depot operations.
“This will create value for our customers as
they now can keep empty containers at our
depot,” Chan said. “Previously, our customers
were repositioning their excess containers back
to Penang, Pasir Gudang, Padang Besar and inland
container terminals.”
With the implementation of the three-day free
storage period at Port Klang in two days’ time,
Chan said the freight village would benefit
importers and exporters as it would help them
meet the shorter free storage period.
“On the last day of the free storage period, we
can remove the containers from the port to our
freight village for importers.
“Exporters can also accumulate their containers
to be shipped at our premise longer than three
days before vessel arrivals,” he said.
But Infinity would not encourage the freight
village to be used as a storage place, Chan
said.
Instead, it is to be used as a freight
inter-chain point where customers can reduce
unnecessary logistics cost such as storage fees
at the port. |
