He said the expansion was aimed at improving the Thai-Malaysian container business and ensuring ports such as Penang Port can thrive from the growth.

“This is also to ensure last mile connectivity to ports in Butterworth and Penang island,” Liow said during a press conference at the Penang Port Commission offices at Swettenham Pier today.

Liow, however, did not indicate how much would be spent on the upgrades or when it would start, but said all will be revealed soon after the plans were finalised.

He added the container business at the recently privatised Penang Port Sdn Bhd had seen strong growth in the sector.

Liow said the port company was targeting 8-10% growth in the container sector this year, following soaring numbers experienced last year.

He said in 2014, Penang Port received 1.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and last year, it went up to 1.31 million.

“This year, Penang Port is aiming for 1.4 to 1.45mil TEUs.

“It has shown steady growth and I am sure a double digit growth for the port is possible,” Liow said.