Service to Malaysia
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A new ship, the 12,500-ton Bunga Rays, recently arrived in London docks on her maiden voyage from the East. The ship, which belongs to the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation Berhad, is designed to carry general cargo and various vegetable oils but can also accommodate up to 180, 20ft ISO standard containers in three of her six holds.
There is increasing interests being shown by Malaysia in containerization: already Singapore has its first container berth, and incidentally has issued a commemorative postage stamp to this effect. Several companies are planning their own containerization programmes. OCL, for example, has recently launched a new company to handle its container service in West Malaysia. The company is formed from two old-established Malaysian shipping agencies. The OCL West Malaysian service is due to start in 1973 but experimental shipments have already been made. A consignment of baled rubber, for example, was recently received by Pirelli Ltd from Port Swettenham In an OCL container.
The Malaysian Government is already fully prepared for the impact the container is to make in that country and has appointed a panel of experts to study the implementation, benefits and Implications of such a system. The Government is at present considering the establishment of a national consortium, that could be the only organization authorized to provide transportation and depot facilities, for the expected high rate of container traffic. Already the major ports are equipped to handle containers and the planning of new facilities is now in progress.
This interest and activity in containers on this continent suggests that the trading prospects of the Bunga Raya in container carrying are assured.