The Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) Workers Union believes that Seaport Terminal Sdn Bhd the successful bidder for the proposed privatisation of the port will be able to take the company to greater heights.
Its president Anuar Omar said the privatisation of the port would help improve efficiency of its operations.
“ We believe the experience that Seaport has in running the two ports in Johor will take Penang Port to greater heights.
“Better port services will attract a higher traffic. In turn, this will make Penang a competitive destination for investment, ” he said in a statement.
He reiterated the union’s stand that the workers fully support the privatisation of the port.
“ We will also ensure that workers’ rights will not be worse than before,” said Anuar, adding that the union welcomed the commitment made by Seaport Terminal to invest in the long-term business sustaitnability of Penang Port.
On Friday, Seaport Terminal port director Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman had said it was committed to increasing the port’s capacity and that it had a comprehensive business plan to develop the port into a competitive premier regional port.
He also denied allegations that it intended to downgrade Penang Port into a feeder port.
Instead, Sidik said Seaport Terminal planned to deepen the navigation channel according to the needs of the port besides being committed to invest in increasing its capacity.
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Dredging Today Staff, July 31, 2012; Image: bintuluport