Container shipping giant China Shipping Group has moved its regional headquarters to Malaysia from Singapore on expectations of increased activity from Port Klang, a senior official said Sunday. "Trade between Malaysia and China is growing. They are positioning themselves to make direct calls between Malaysia and China," Westport Malaysia executive chairman G. Gnanalingam told AFP.
Westport, located in Port Klang, on the Strait of Malacca west of the capital Kuala Lumpur, is one of Malaysia's largest container ports.
Gnanalingam said China Shipping had decided to move its operations to Malaysia because the company wanted to be able to draw upon skilled manpower at competitive prices.
Analysts said the move demonstrated Westport's efficiency and would allow Malaysia to further challenge Singapore's status as the region's shipping hub.