The Government’s commitment in developing high-impact infrastructure projects ensures that investors in ECER are well-connected within the country and beyond. With its strategic location facing the South China Sea and excellent connectivity via land, air and sea, ECER is a strategic Gateway to the Asia Pacific region for investors. Several projects are underway to enhance ECER’s capacity to move higher volumes of cargo and reduce turnaround times.
Read on to discover some of the game-changing projects currently underway in the Region.
Kuantan Port
Features of the New Deep Water Terminal:
1. 18m draught
2. Cater for 200k DWT ships
3. 6,040 berth distance
4. 2.6 KM stopping distance
5. 4,700m breakwater
6. 295 hectares area size
A key component in the ECER logistics ecosystem is the Kuantan Port, which is being expanded into a major deepwater port. This will cement ECER’s position as the Gateway to the Asia Pacific, being a major regional distribution and logistics hub providing seamless connectivity within the Region. Kuantan Port is also supported by the Kemaman and Tok Bali Ports, acting as feeder ports.
East Coast Rail Link (ECRL)
The game-changing ECRL will link Kuantan Port to Port Klang in the West Coast and onward to the rest of the country. This direct link between the two main ports of Peninsular Malaysia will reduce 30 hours of traveling time normally required for cargo shipment through Singapore, thus offering a cost-competitive option for investors and traders.
East Coast Expressway Phase 3
As part of the Asia Highway Network, the four-lane East Coast Expressway will catalyse the development of Kuantan Port.
Phase 3 of this major infrastructure project, estimated is 147km, is a continuation of East-Coast Expressway Phase 2, and is a major factor for macro-economic growth in the Region by providing efficient road connectivity to support industrial activities and linking major regional economic centers, cities and towns in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia to the west coast.
Central Spine Road
The Central Spine Road is a 350km highway passing through the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, which is being developed in phases, stretching from Kuala Krai in Kelantan to Simpang Pelangai in Pahang. This four-lane, toll-free highway is a major economic catalyst that will link rural areas and smaller towns to economic hotspots in ECER. It will also improve connectivity to the Northern and Southern growth corridors. New routes will also facilitate connectivity between the interiors of Peninsular Malaysia to the East and West Coasts. This creates immense potential for more jobs and business opportunities in tourism, agriculture and manufacturing, thus ensuring that no one is left behind of ECER’s development.
Air Transport Hub
ECER is home to several airports and a number of them are currently undergoing upgrades to increase their cargo and passenger handling capacity.
A key upgrading project is the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan. The airport is being upgraded to be a regional airport to capitalise on its strategic location, which is adjacent to the bustling Indochina region and play a role as a financial and commercial hub for cross-border trade. It is the 5th busiest airport in Peninsular Malaysia and the 7th busiest airport in Malaysia.
Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu, which functions as an international airport is a key entry point for the state’s globally-renowned island tourism. The airport will also serve as the Eastern Gateway for tourism in the rest of the ECER. Concurrently, upgrading of the airport’s cargo handling capacity will enhance its profile as a regional logistics hub, which will further catalyse socio-economic growth by creating jobs and business opportunities.