History of Klang Northport – Malaysia’s Oldest and Most Vital Port Industrial Zone

Klang Northport – From Colonial Wharf to Global Trade Powerhouse

The story of Klang Northport (formerly Port Swettenham) traces back to the late 1800s when the British colonial government developed the area as a gateway for Malaya’s tin and rubber exports.

Located at the mouth of the Klang River, the port was officially opened in 1901 and gradually became the principal seaport for the Straits Settlements, replacing Klang River’s smaller inland jetties.

Timeline of Klang Northport’s Evolution

?? 1901–1950s: Early Growth

• Known as Port Swettenham, named after a colonial official

• Initially served as a key port for tin, rubber, and agricultural exports

• Supported by rail lines connecting to Kuala Lumpur and Rawang

?? 1970s: Industrialization & Free Trade

• Rebranded as Port Klang

• Expansion of container yards and bulk cargo terminals

• Surrounding land earmarked for industrial use: Telok Gong, Pandamaran, and Pulau Indah began to attract factories and shipbuilding yards

?? 1986: Northport Established

• The Northport terminal was officially launched as part of a national push for maritime modernization

• Became the primary container terminal on the peninsula’s west coast

• Supported by government-backed industrial zones nearby

?? 1990s–2000s: Global Logistics Integration

• Northport Malaysia Berhad (NMB) was formed to manage terminal operations

• Arrival of multinational shipping lines, logistics firms, and export-based manufacturers

• Establishment of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)

• Connection to highways: KESAS, WCE, NKVE

?? Today: Malaysia’s Leading Port-Based Industrial Cluster

• Klang Northport handles:

  • General cargo

  • Container shipping

  • Liquid bulk, palm oil, and automotive logistics

• Nearby factories in Telok Gong, Jalan Pelabuhan Utara, and PKFZ support:

  • Export packaging

  • Cold chain storage

  • Marine supply industries

Legacy & Future Outlook

Klang Northport remains a strategic backbone of Malaysia’s global trade network — continuously expanding with:

• Deeper berths

• Modern gantry cranes

• Port-centric industrial masterplans
  It stands as one of the most mature and active industrial hubs in Southeast Asia.