[2025, Aug 30] As Lumut Port marks a significant milestone, 30 years of operation, we reflect on the partnerships that have been the bedrock of our work. Among our most valued and enduring relationships is the one we share with YTL Cement Group (YTL Cement), a partner who has been with us from the very beginning. Their journey with us is a testament to a shared history of growth, resilience and mutual progress.
To understand this partnership from the client’s perspective, we spoke with Mr. Melvin Chong, Senior Manager of Procurement at YTL Cement Shared Services Sdn Bhd. For the six years he has been with the company, he has worked closely with Lumut Port, overseeing the critical logistics of importing essential raw materials like coal from Indonesia and petroleum coke from the USA. These bulk cargoes are vital for manufacturing cement at their integrated plants in Kanthan and Padang Rengas, Perak, making the efficiency of their supply chain paramount.
A Strategic and Evolving Partnership
The foundation of this long-standing collaboration is strategic. “Lumut Port is the closest port to YTL Cement’s plants in Perak,” Melvin noted, highlighting the inherent logistical advantage. “If it not for Lumut Port, YTL Cement would have to go to Penang or West Port,” which are not only farther but, as he added, “pretty congested.”
When asked about the evolution of Lumut Port’s services over the years, Melvin acknowledged a positive trajectory. He recalled that in the past, the company faced challenges with unloading delays. ” It used to take around three to four days to unload 7,000–8,000 tonnes of cargo from a vessel, but now the process takes only two to three days – a significant improvement.”
This improvement stems from ongoing dialogue and investment. Melvin highlighted the positive impact of Lumut Port deploying its own logistics assets: “With their own equipment, it has been much better. Previously, operations were handled by an external party. If there was a breakdown, we had to call and wait.” This in-house capability has greatly streamlined operations from jetty to stockyard.
Coordination and Overcoming Challenges Together
A key strength Melvin highlighted is the enhanced coordination, especially for handling large vessels that require transshipment. “Now we deal only with Lumut Port. It helps as things get done quicker, the coordination is much better and delay is minimised.”
This resilience was put to the ultimate test about three years ago during a period of unprecedented demand. With coal prices fluctuating sharply, YTL Cement had to more than double its usual monthly tonnage for three straight months. “Lumut Port just couldn’t cope. We had too many shipments and there were delays,” Melvin recalled. Through collaborative problem-solving, however, the challenge was overcome. “Lumut Port stepped up. They added machinery, adjusted operations, and provided solutions. Eventually, we managed to move everything again.” This episode stands out as a success story of the partnership rising to the crisis.
When asked for his overall assessment, Melvin was positive: “I would say Lumut Port is continuously improving, they are also more approachable.” He even quantified the recent progress, sharing, “I am very happy for the past year because we do see a big improvement of as much as 30%.”
Looking ahead, the focus remains on efficiency, particularly on reducing demurrage costs by shortening unloading times. Melvin also shared a vision for the future: “If our 60,000 tonne supramax vessel can berth directly, that would be great.” He appreciates that the port has physical constraints but has been proactive in sharing ideas from other ports, confident that Lumut Port is listening and evolving.
His closing message for the anniversary encapsulates the spirit of the partnership: “YTL Cement congratulates Lumut Port on this important milestone. We have progressed together over the years, and their continued development creates shared value for clients like us.” He added, “Lumut Port has always been, and will continue to be, a vital partner. With improvements year after year, we are encouraged by the advancements we are making together.”
On this 30th anniversary, we at Lumut Port are deeply grateful for the trust and collaboration of partners like YTL Cement. We have carefully noted Melvin’s feedback and are committed to building on the recent improvements. Our goal is to relentlessly strive for greater efficiency, invest in modern equipment and explore innovative solutions to ensure that our next 30 years together are even more productive, seamless and successful.
“Happy 30th Anniversary, Lumut Port! Here’s to building the future, together.”
#LumutPort #LumutPortAt30 #CelebratingPartnerships #YTLCement #Logistics #Maritime #Shipping #Port #Anniversary #Perak #Malaysia
For LinkedIn
Strategic Partnership: How Lumut Port and YTL Cement Built a 30-Year Legacy
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the partnerships that have been the foundation of our journey. A huge thank you to Melvin Chong and the entire team at YTL Cement – our partners since day one!
For three decades, we’ve been supporting their operations, handling essential bulk cargo like coal and pet coke for their plants in Perak. We’re proud to be their strategic port of choice.
We are thrilled to hear Melvin’s feedback: “I am very happy for the past year because we do see a big improvement of as much as 30%… Lumut Port is, and would always be, a very important port for us.”
This anniversary isn’t just about looking back; it’s about building the future, together. We’ve heard your suggestions for even greater efficiency and are committed to continuous improvement.
Here’s to 30 years of collaboration, and to many more to come!
#LumutPort #LumutPortAt30 #CelebratingPartnerships #YTLCement #Logistics #Maritime #Shipping #Port #Anniversary #Perak #Malaysia
