BUTTERWORTH, The Ministry of Transport (MOT) plans to build an additional railway track at Penang Port to boost logistics efficiency and ease traffic congestion in surrounding areas.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the project involves extending the current 500-metre track to 1,010 metres, enabling all carriages or wagons to be fully loaded within the port’s premises without spilling over onto public roads.
“This proposal is being finalised. Our main priority is to expedite the project to achieve two objectives: first, to improve container loading efficiency by having the full track inside the port, and second, to prevent traffic disruptions caused when carriages extend onto nearby roads. “Right now, the track can only fit about 30 out of 50 carriages, with the remaining 20 left outside the port, causing congestion during the loading process,” he told reporters after launching the Professional Advancement in Trucking and Haulage (PATH) Programme here on Saturday.
Also present at the event was Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. The PATH Programme, spearheaded by the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) through HRD Corp in partnership with MOT, aims to upgrade driver skills in the trucking and haulage sector.
Loke noted that conventional methods requiring budget approval and tendering often delay projects. To speed things up, MOT will pursue a strategic partnership model, working with port operators such as MMC Ports and Penang Port to share implementation costs. The Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) will also contribute by supplying reusable materials and assets, such as old tracks and sleepers, to help lower construction expenses.
On the PATH Programme, Loke said it was introduced to expand the pool of certified haulier drivers nationwide, including at Penang Port. The government has allocated RM2.5 million for the initiative, which is expected to benefit over 1,000 participants nationwide. Of these, 200 at Penang Port will undergo intensive training covering the E Licence, Joint E GDL, safety, and work ethics modules. “This programme addresses the shortage of haulier drivers and enhances port efficiency by producing more skilled lorry drivers. It will also facilitate smoother cargo delivery while creating job and income opportunities, particularly for youth and local workers in the fast-growing logistics sector,” he said.
Currently, port drivers can operate trucks within controlled areas without an E licence but are not permitted to drive on public roads. Loke said the high cost of obtaining the licence has been a major obstacle. “This programme is designed to remove that barrier,” he added.
