Karuppiah Subramaniam

Captain K. Subramaniam began his maritime career in the Merchant Marine in 1981 and obtained his Captaincy in 1992. He joined the Port Klang Authority (PKA) in 1994 as a Harbour Pilot and subsequently held several key positions before being appointed General Manager in 2016—becoming the first PKA-sponsored scholar to lead the organization.

A certified Harbour Pilot since 1997, Captain Subramaniam has also chaired the Port Klang Pilotage Committee since 2011.

During his tenure at PKA, he played a pivotal role in implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Port Klang in 2004 and, in 2010, coordinated the port’s participation in the Mega Ports Initiative in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Customs, Atomic Energy Licensing Board, and the United States Government. Among his notable achievements are the introduction of enhanced safety and navigation practices, strengthened maritime security, and the promotion of digitalization and green technologies within the port and logistics sectors. In 2023, he spearheaded Port Klang’s initiative to implement the Malaysia Maritime Single Window, which is now being expanded to all ports nationwide.

Captain Subramaniam is also an active figure in the international maritime community. He served as President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) from 2021 to 2023 and currently serves as an Advisory Board Member of the APEC Port Services Network and Secretary-General of the Eastern Dredging Association (EADA).