A Chinese shipping giant is eyeing a stake in two Malaysian ports, including top container port Tanjung Pelepas, which neighbours Singapore, a report said today.

China Shipping Terminal Development Co Ltd, part of the world's sixth biggest shipper, China Shipping (Group) Company, is in talks with Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and Westports in Port Klang, west of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the Business Times said.

"We are now looking at the options available to use and doing a feasibility study on investing in either PTP or Westports," said Fang Meng, China Shipping Terminal director.

Good services

Fang said China Shipping was picking Malaysia as its first foray into Southeast Asia because of the good services provided by its ports.

Malaysia's Port of Tanjung Pelepas, which rivals Singapore for sea freight, early November said it expected to record a 20 percent surge in throughput this year as the global economy expanded.

Malaysia's busiest port, it expects a record five million six meter (20 feet) standard containers this year from 4.18 million in 2005. It is the number two trans-shipment hub in Southeast Asia, after Singapore.