Malaysia’s Transport Ministry is collaborating with the country’s shipping association in formulating the Malaysian Shipping Master Plan (MSMP) to develop the country’s overall shipping industry, including ports and shipyards.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the MSMP aims to strengthen and prepare the industry to be more dynamic and competitive, and is expected to be tabled in the Cabinet next year.
“It will be finalized at the end of the year and hoped to be tabled in Cabinet to get the government’s support,” he said recently, according to a report by Bernama.
“MSMP covers the whole range of shipping industry including ports and supply base logistics to ensure Malaysia’s maritime industry continues to be competitive. Education and training will also be among the focuses of the plan,” he said.
He said the shipping industry in the country continues to expand; hence, Malaysia must strengthen its ports and shipping industry.
“We are good in this sector, for example, Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor Baharu is ranked top 19 while Port Klang is top 13 among 50 world container ports,” he said.
Moreover, Liow said the communication level between ports in the country will be increased to make them more vibrant and efficient.
“We also want to elevate the shipping industry in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Tien Sa Port modernization
In Vietnam, on the other hand, Da Nang Port, the largest port in the country’s central region, is investing VND1 trillion (US$47.6 million) in the second phase of the upgrade of its terminal Tien Sa Port, the undertaking to begin in the second quarter of next year.
Da Nang Port Company chair Nguyen Thu told local media that the upgrade is a way to raise the port’s standards to international levels in the coming years.
Tien Sa Port’s overhaul will be undertaken from 2016 to 2018 using funding coming from the company and its shareholders, and from bank loans. In 2025, the port will have a designed capacity to handle 14 million tonnes of cargo, including 800,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, Thu said.
As envisioned, Tien Sa Port will be built as a “valley” of logistics, warehouse, transport, and digital customer clearance services, besides housing the representative offices of shipping companies and banks.
Two piers, measuring 310 meters and 210 meters in length, will be built as a dock for container ships.
Last year, Da Nang’s ports handled a record six million tonnes of cargo. Currently, Tien Sa Port allows access to 30,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) ships only.
Photo: Tanjungpelepas
