PETALING JAYA: MMC Port Holdings Bhd (MMC Ports), Malaysia’s largest port operating group, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NIZE Intelligent Technology Co Ltd, a technology company established under Shanghai International Port Co Ltd (SIPG), to collaborate on developing a comprehensive digital transformation and smart port initiatives blueprint.
The strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in MMC Ports’ journey towards digitalisation and operational excellence by leveraging SIPG’s field-tested expertise, the operator of the Port of Shanghai, the world’s largest and one of the most advanced container ports.
The MoU was signed by MMC Ports CEO Datuk Azman Shah Mohd Yusof and NIZE general manager Steven Huang, and was witnessed by MMC Ports chairman and group managing director of MMC Corporation Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh and NIZE chairman and SIPG vice-president Sam Liu.
Also present at the ceremony were the senior leadership and technical heads from MMC Ports’ key subsidiaries, including Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd, Johor Port Bhd, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd and Penang Port Sdn Bhd.
This collaboration is designed to translate MMC Ports’ digital aspirations into a concrete, executable roadmap.
By adopting the architectural framework that currently powers SIPG’s operations, which handled 51.5 million TEUs in 2024, MMC Ports aims to adopt market-proven solutions.
“We are grounding our digital transformation in reality,“ said Azman Shah. “By partnering with NIZE, we are ensuring our digital blueprint is built upon a foundation of field-tested technological architecture. This allows all our ports to chart a path toward world-class operational efficiency with clarity and confidence.”
Echoing this commitment to operational excellence, Huang said, “It is an honour to share our established digital expertise with MMC Ports. Together, we are focused on developing a blueprint that delivers real operational value and sets a new standard for the region.”
Under the MoU, the parties will undertake feasibility studies covering three key initiatives, namely the development of a five-year, business-led digitalisation roadmap for MMC Ports, the establishment of a unified group-level dashboard to track strategic key performance indicators across operations, finance, commercial and sustainability functions and the rollout of a digital twin proof-of-concept at a selected port to assess the use of virtual replication in improving operational planning and efficiency.
The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation for a term of five years.
