Re-use of Dredged Material for Port Expansion at Westports, Port Klang, Malaysia

The expansion of Westports at Port Klang, Malaysia, demonstrates how dredged material can be beneficially reused to support sustainable port development and reduce dependence on virgin construction resources. As Malaysia's largest container port continues to expand to meet growing trade demands, reclamation and dredging activities have been integrated to create new terminal areas while maximizing the value of materials generated during marine construction (Central Dredging Association, 2025, HSS Group, n.d.).

Port expansion at Westports has required the creation of substantial new land areas for container terminals and associated infrastructure. The construction of Container Terminals CT4 to CT9 involved large-scale reclamation works extending the port footprint into the sea. These works included dredging, land reclamation, ground improvement and coastal protection measures, with approximately 18 million m³ of hydraulic fill placed to create new operational areas (HSS Group, n.d.).

More recently, Westports has commenced a major expansion program involving the reclamation of new land as part of future terminal development. Reclamation activities are being undertaken in conjunction with dredging works, creating a beneficial-use pathway whereby dredged marine sediments contribute directly to land creation rather than being managed solely as a waste stream. This approach is consistent with circular economy principles promoted in green port development, where materials generated through port maintenance and expansion activities are retained within the infrastructure lifecycle (Central Dredging Association, 2025).

The approach aligns with international guidance that identifies land reclamation as one of the most common and effective beneficial uses of suitable dredged material (PIANC, 2014; Solanki et al., 2023).