KUCHING: Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd (BPSB) registers a steady growth in cargo throughput while securing a number of important contracts in a new area of opportunity.
According to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (Bintulu Port) Dato Mohammad Medan Abdullah, construction works also progressed smoothly at the Samalaju Industrial Port in 2016 with the port moving closer towards the commencement of operations by the first half of 2017.
“Despite the challenging market environment, all major cargo categories at Bintulu Port recorded growth in 2016 over the preceding year.
“The year 2016 saw the overall cargo throughput handled by the group increased by 3.7 per cent from 44.81 million tonnes in 2015 to 46.45 million tonnes in 2016,” said Mohammad Medan at a press conference held after the 21st Bintulu Port Annual General Meeting held at Hilton Kuching, yesterday.
He said the handling of liquid natural gas (LNG) vessels and cargo remained the key revenue contributor for Bintulu Port.
Mohammad Medan also noted that in 2016, Bintulu Port had been successful in securing contracts for the provision of base support services to oil and gas related companies such as Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, Petronas Floating LNG Sdn Bhd and Murphy Oil Sarawak for three to five years’ contract period.
He said this involved the provision of storage areas (warehouse and open space), material handling equipment, cargo handling equipment, passenger handling, pilotage, supply of container carrying and others services.
“BPSB will continue to focus on other key growth sectors and enhance its efficiency in the handling of specific cargoes that will serve as potential income generators, particularly palm oil, container, fertiliser, woodchips, palm kernel product and biomass,” said Mohammad Medan.
He also pointed out that Biport Bulkers Sdn Bhd (BBSB) managed to achieve better result of throughput for the year 2016.
“Despite the prolonged dry weather and below average rainfall in the first half of 2016, BBSB’s final throughput for the year (2016) was 3.65 million tonnes, the highest achievement since commencing operation in 2004 and marginally better than the 2015 results.
“BBSB’s major customers are Wilmer which is a leading global palm oil group, and also Sarawak’s main palm oil companies, namely Sime Darby, Sarawak Oil Palms and Kirana, and they operate and use the facilities for the export of their crude and refined products.” he said, adding that in 2016, 95 per cent of palm oil products were handled via Biport Bulkers.
He also said that the development of the third berth at the existing edible oil jetty for smaller edible vessel tanke,r which was completed in the second half of 2015, had successfully increased vessel turnaround time and at the same time, reducing vessel waiting time in 2016.
On Samalaju Industrial Port Sdn Bhd (SIPSB), Mohammad Medan said its total cargo performance in 2016 increased to 450,019 tonnes with imports and exports contributing 403,944 tonnes and 49,074 tonnes respectively, compared to 2015’s total of 71,183 tonnes.
“The port also managed to successfully attract a number of major Samalaju Industrial investors to use its facilities.
“The port’s cargo throughput is projected to steadily increase from 450,019 tonnes in 2016 to 11,234,858 tonnes in 2019 when all the industries achieve maximum throughput. The port will continue to improve operational efficiency in order to maintain its competitive edge, and it is expected to formally commence Phase 1 of operation in June 2017 where it is targeting to handle 2,136,870 tonnes of bulk cargo with a total of 145 vessel calls,” said Mohammad Medan.
Also present at the meeting and press conference were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
