Malaysia: Bintulu Port Modernization Moves Ahead

The commissioning of two new units of Panamax Class Ship-to-Shore Container Quay Cranes (QC) and eight units of Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTG) will beef up Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd’s (BPSB) container handling capabilities and services.

Its chief executive officer Dato Mior Ahmad Baiti Mior Lub Ahmad when speaking during the handing over of the equipment by Harbour-Link Logistics Sdn Bhd to BPSB yesterday said it would definitely serve BPSB’s customers well in meeting their needs.

“We will endeavour to deploy more equipment and improve our operating systems to reduce vessel turnaround time and improve our productivity including hauler turnaround time,” said Mior.

He said it was also very significant to Bintulu International Container Terminal (BICT) to provide additional equipment to its container handling fleet so as to be ready in serving the growing customer operational demands, in line with BPSB vision to be a world class port.

“We are currently reviewing the implementation of a new container terminal operating system and reengineering the process flow.

“We are also currently implementing recruitment programme to beef-up manpower requirement,” added Mior.

Furthermore, with the commissioning of these equipment, he said BICT will undertake to refurbish and retrofit the current fleet of QCs and RTGs in its effort to improve its availability and reliability.

Prior to this, BICT is only equipped with among others two units Post-Panamax Container Quay Cranes and six units of RTGs.

To improve its fleet of cranes, BPSB awarded Harbour-Link Logistics Sdn Bhd with two contracts to supply, deliver, test and commission the eight units of RTGs and two units Panamax Class QCs on March 24, 2011 after a tender process and rigorous selection criteria.

Harbour-Link Logistics Sdn Bhd later delivered the equipment in two phases.

Mior, therefore on behalf of BPSB, thanked all the government support agencies namely Royal Customs Department, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) that had directly or indirectly contributed to the success of the project.

Meanwhile for Harbour-Link Logistics Sdn Bhd, he hoped that they would ensure that the cranes were well maintained and be continuously available for their operational needs.

“To users, we appreciate your continuous support and for patronising our services where we endeavour to continuously serve you better and efficiently while maintaining competitive tariff structure,” said Mior.

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Source: bintuluport, October 9, 2012; Image: bintuluport