[090615.EN.BIZ] Malaysia's KLB Launches 2,500-vehicle Car Carrier, Zarah Sofia

INTEGRATED logistics service provider, Konsortium Logistik Berhad (KLB), a unit of the Malaysian DRB-HICOM conglomerate, has expanded its automotive services with the launch of their first roll-on roll-off ship.

The vessel will cater to increasing demand for vehicles in Malaysia and comes at a time when KLB's logistics business, is well positioned as a fully capable integrated sea-land-air logistics operation in Malaysia.

The Zarah Sofia further strengthens KLB's expansion to provide end-to-end automotive logistics services, as well as reinforcing its footprint and competitiveness by providing customers a complete logistics package, the company said.

In keeping with the automotive industry's need for increased efficiencies and faster deliveries within the local automotive market, the Zarah Sofia is poised to facilitate the increased flow of vehicles between Peninsular and East Malaysia, said the company statement.

This enables KLB to provide end-to-end automotive logistics services, including Vehicle Transit Centre (VTC) at Port Klang and Car Distribution Centre (CDC) hubs at Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

"This investment will strengthen the group's foothold in the logistics sector," said DRB-HICOM Berhad chairman Syed Mohamad bin Syed Murtaza.

"This is a great opportunity to streamline the group's supply chain to become a fully integrated logistics provider with end-to-end solutions in Malaysia," he said.

Said KLB chief executive Mohd Shukrie Bin Mohd Salleh: "KLB is committed to provide customers with high quality service and add value to customers' businesses."

The Zarah Sofia will operate between two and three shipments per month. The vessel is currently operating in the Malaysian domestic route between Port Klang and East Malaysia, and to-date has made 14 shipments.

Also present at the launch was the group's managing director Tan Sri Dato Haji Mohd Khamil bin Jamil.

KLB provides integrated logistics solutions in five business areas: automotive, haulage, logistics, distribution, warehousing, forwarding and project logistics.

KLB is a wholly owned subsidiary of KL Airport Services under the DRB-HICOM Group. KLB offers its services in more than 20 countries through affiliate companies. KLB has presence of 16 branch offices and nine agents throughout Malaysia and employs 1,600 people.

DRB-HICOM Berhad (DRB-HICOM) is one of Malaysia's leading conglomerates with core businesses in the automotive and defence, services, property, asset management and construction. With more than 100 active companies in its stable and over 60,000 employees, the company is involved logistics, distribution and warehousing, concession and financial-related services.

Source : HKSG.