Due to the increasing demand of the import-export industry, Penang Port Sdn. Bhd. proposed to expand its North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in order to increase its operational capacity to more than 50 % by 2014. The expansion project consisted of expanding the wharf and deck, construction of a barging centre and upgrading of the in/out gate. The Environmental Section was appointed to conduct an EIA Study as required by the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA 1974) and Item 10 (b) of the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987. The study consisted of assessing the existing environment in terms of physical, biological and socio-economical aspects. The EIA study report was approved by the Department of Environment (DOE) in May 2007.