by AZALEA AZUAR
THE National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) has approved the Off-peak Incentive and the Additional Free Storage Period initiatives to enhance road safety conditions and disperse the movements of hauliers in Port Klang, Selangor.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said these initiatives have been approved during the NLTF Meeting No 1/2025 held in Putrajaya on May 29.
They were brought up after an increasing number of accidents involving heavy vehicles in Port Klang.
Loke said through the new scheme, goods carriers or hauliers entering Port Klang during off-peak hours will receive an incentive of RM15 for dual movement while an incentive of RM7.50 will be given for a single movement.
The cost of this incentive will be borne through the Terminal Access Charge (TAC) of RM10, which will be charged to hauliers entering the port during peak hours, which is 8am to 8pm.
The imposition of TAC and the provision of incentives are exempted on Sundays and public holidays.
This Off-peak Incentive will be carried out in stages where the pilot project is expected to commence in August this year, and it will be fully implemented early next year.
“This is a policy or initiative that we have discussed together with industry players and port operators to encourage more haulage movement during off-peak periods to Port Klang. This will help ease traffic congestion during peak hours,” Loke said during a press conference after the meeting.
Meanwhile, the NLTF has also approved another incentive called the Additional Free Storage Period where importers, who shift at least 50% of their haulier movements to off-peak hours on or before July 1 this year, are able to extend their free shortage period.
However, the importer or exporter who fails to maintain a 50:50 ratio for container collection or delivery during peak and off-peak hours would result in a shortened extra-free storage period. But if they fail to meet this requirement then they will not be eligible for the incentive.
Loke also shared that the Transport Ministry (MOT) will strengthen enforcement against overloaded heavy vehicles effective July 1, 2025.
Between Dec 10 and 31, 2024, the Port Klang Authority (PKA) conducted a pilot test to restrict hauliers from transporting cargo that exceeded the permitted gross vehicle weight (BGK) limit.
Following this, the MOT agreed to implement the enforcement across all federal ports in Peninsular Malaysia, with each port authority responsible for informing their stakeholders of specific overloading policies.
“In this regard, MOT urges all relevant industry stakeholders, particularly hauliers, to familiarise themselves with the specific implementation procedures at each port, and to strictly adhere to the permitted load limits to avoid enforcement actions that could disrupt operations and business continuity.
“The move to restrict overloaded goods vehicles at the ports and incentive to shift to off-peak periods is part of MOT’s long-term commitment to road safety for the benefit of road users,” he said.
Meanwhile, Loke explained that the 9% increase in container handling at Port Klang last year led to a surge in goods vehicle traffic during peak hours, with 70% of haulage operations taking place during that time. In turn, it has affected logistics efficiency and increased the strain on nearby road networks.
Therefore, the PKA has formed a task force on Jan 7 this year which consists of key stakeholders following a decision at a previous NTLF meeting held on Nov 25, 2024.
The government also plans to use NLTF initiatives to reduce road congestion and enhance safety by decreasing accidents between goods and passenger vehicles.
Loke confirmed that for now, there is no dedicated lane for heavy vehicles, so they must only use the left lane unless they are overtaking. He also stated that even motorcycle lanes are not fully implemented.
“Therefore, any changes to road structure and design fall under the responsibility of the Works Ministry,” Loke commented.
However, he said the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will continue to monitor and take action against the misuse of the right lane by heavy vehicles.
On his earlier meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Loke shared that there has been no change of ministry and that he remains as the transport minister.
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