ECRL Project Reaches 72.93% Completion, On Track for 2027 Operations

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, aimed at connecting the Klang Valley to the East Coast, has reached 72.93% completion as of Sept. This was revealed recently by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

During the MoU signing ceremony between Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and Eastern Pacific Industrial Corporation Berhad (EPIC Berhad), Loke also added that the ECRL project remains on schedule for its Dec 2026 target. Services between Kota Bharu and the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal meanwhile are expected to start by Jan 1, 2027.

Loke highlighted that the rail section from Gombak to Port Klang is projected to be completed by Dec 2027. He further noted that Terengganu leads the progress, with 87.4% completion, ahead of Selangor, Kelantan, and Pahang.

As for the MoU, Loke detailed that EPIC Berhad’s logistics operations would be integrated with the ECRL network, specifically at the Kemaman Port connection. This move is expected to boost cargo transportation through an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly rail network, linking Kemaman Port to other industrial and business hubs along the ECRL line.

In addition, Loke pointed out that the ECRL services will benefit both cargo and passenger transportation, with 70% of the projected revenue coming from the cargo sector. This is inline with the Ministry of Transport push to promote rail-based cargo transport actively once the ECRL becomes operational.

Back in Aug, we covered the first MoU of this kind where MRL partnered with Kuantan Port and Northport Bhd to develop a land bridge between Kuantan Port and Port Klang to further expand ECRL's strategic cargo services.