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Port Klang
Authority (PKA) has decided to withdraw its
scheme to provide incentives to feeder operators
linking Port Klang to regional ports, with
effect from this year. It will, however, still
pay out the monetary incentives due to operators
for the year 2007.
For the year 2008, though, feeder incentives
will be based on a new formula for qualified
operators. The new formula was not specified in
the statement released to the press.
The feeder incentive scheme was developed and
introduced by the PKA in 2000 as part of an
overall strategy to further strengthen Port
Klang as a national load centre and a regional
hub port.
Selected local and regional feeder operators and
landbridge operators enjoy a rebate of RM20 for
a 20-ft container and RM35 for 40-ft container
sent through Port Klang as well as a 10 per cent
discount on marine charges such as pilotage and
tug boat services by the respective terminals,
Northport and Westports, under the old feeder
incentive scheme.
While the idea had been mooted that the costs of
incentivising feeder operators be transferred to
terminal operators, Northport and Westports, a
PKA official told Business Times, that feeder
and terminal operators have instead, been left
to negotiate their respective terms.
"It is not a matter of transferring the costs to
the terminal operators, up to the two parties to
come to an arrangement," the official said.
In a statement released on September 17, PKA
recommended that Northport (M) Bhd and Westports
Malaysia Sdn Bhd play a more active role in
encouraging feeder operations in Port Klang.
The feeder incentive scheme has been suspended
since 2008.
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