DUN (Day Six): Ports register growth in cargo throughput in Q1

Ports register growth in cargo throughput in Q1

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

OPERATIONAL and business activities in Kuching, Tanjung Manis and Miri ports have registered healthy growth in cargo throughput from January to April this year.

Cargo volume handled by Kuching Port Authority during the said period increased by 6.8 per cent to 2.716 million tones compared to the corresponding period in 2010. In terms of containerised cargo, the total number of containers handled increased by 8.4 per cent to 64,302 TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units) from 59,289 TEUs.

“Up to April this year, Miri Port Authority (MPA) registered an increase of 12 per cent in cargo throughput across MPA’s wharf compared to the same period last year. The increase in tonnage from 249,980 tonnes to 280,931 tonnes was primarily contributed by the increase in container traffic.

“For containerised cargo, MPA handled 8,180 TEUs from January to April 2011, an increase of 1,110 TEUs or 15.7 per cent compared to 7,070 TEUs recorded in the same period last year,” said Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong when delivering his winding up speech at the sitting yesterday.

He added that the Tanjung Manis Integrated Port Sdn Bhd (TMIP), an appointed port operator by Rajang Port Authority (RPA) recorded an increase in cargo of 56.6 per cent to 214,556 tonnes from January to April 2011 compared to the same period last year.

An increase of 34.9 per cent was also recorded for container traffic throughout TMIP’s wharves compared to 13,979 TEUs last year.

In addition, Manyin (BNTebedu) reported that the RPA, recorded a decrease in cargo throughput in the first quarter of the year as compared to the corresponding period in 2010.

However, he was optimistic that it would gradually increase towards the later part of the year.

“RPA handled a total of 1,620,487 tonnes of cargo for the period from January to April 2011 which is a decrease of 6.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. In terms of containers in TEUs, RPA recorded an increase of 3,685 TEUs or 15.1 per cent to 28,134 TEUs as compared to the same period last year.”

Meanwhile, on another matter, Manyin commended Brooke Dockyard for completing the fabrication installation of oil and gas offshore structures for Belum and Pemanis projects under Murphy Oil.

He reported that Merapuh project awarded in January was progressing on schedule.

In addition, he mentioned that Brooke Dockyard has also been awarded a ship repair project by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).

“For the first quarter of the year, Brooke Dockyard continues to achieve its excellence, notably on oil and gas offshore structure fabrication industry. Brooke Dockyard will continue to focus on its specifi c business niches in the traditional shipbuilding and ship repair sector, the buoyant oil and gas fabrication market and the government projects for mid-span bridges.”