KUCHING, Dec 1: Sarawak port authorities registered a total throughput of 17.01 million tonnes up till the third quarter of 2022.
Recording an increase of 8.8 percent compared to 15.63 million tonnes registered in the same period last year.
“Kuching Port Authority handled 7.39 million tonnes, an increase of 11.8% from 6.61 million tonnes.
“Rajang Port Authority registered 1.14 million tonnes, an increase of 10.7% from 1.03 million tonnes,” said Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in his ministerial winding-up speech in DUN sittting today.
Similarly, Samalaju Port Authority handled 5.17 million tonnes this year, an increase of 28.6 percent from 4.02 million previously.
“However, Miri Port Authority recorded a 20.3% decline in cargo throughput to 2.04 million tonnes,” he said, adding that previously it recorded 2.56 million tonnes.
While, Tanjung Manis Port Authority recorded a decrease of 10 percent from 1.40 million tonnes in 2021 to 1.26 million tonnes in the same period in 2022.
Uggah, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, said that ports play an important role in the economic development and sustainability of the country.
Thus, the state government will be implementing the Ports Master Plan Study in the first quarter of 2023, with Miri Port Authority picked as its pioneer.
“The Ports Master Plan Study is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of port services, upgrading port facilities and exploring new business opportunities.
“This study will also include the possibility of addressing the issue of shallow draught at Kuala Baram access channel,” he noted.
Additionally, he said that a total of RM39.4 million has been allocated for the Aids to Navigation (AtoN) project for Tanjung Manis Port, which is 90 percent completed.
“On completion, this system will improve navigational efficiency, provide weather and tidal information, and control marine traffic flow from Kuala Rajang to Tanjung Manis,” he said. – TVS
