Bintulu Port Concession Extended until 2052

Malaysian government has issued an approval in principle to Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (BPHB) on extension of the existing concession period for Bintulu Port Sdn. Bhd. until 2052.

The detailed terms and conditions are subject to the concurrence of all parties involved, BPHB chairman Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said.

The company has been operating the port since 1993.

The port handled 270,495 teu in 2014 and recorded 8,478 vessel calls, with LNG remaining its most important cargo.

The company’s anchor customer Petronas has embarked on a new LNG train, which will add another 3.6 million tonnes per annum to the existing 25.7 million tonnes production capacity. This project is scheduled to be completed by 2015 and operational in early 2016.

“Efforts have been made to reduce the dependency on LNG from the current level to 60% in the next couple of years. Specific focus will be given to the development of the container sector, dry bulk sector and palm oil as well as the oil and gas sector,” Hamsa said.

According to him, several related projects that have been identified for the next five years include conversion of 300 m general cargo wharf for container operation, a 300 m of bulk bertilizer wharf at 2nd inner harbour, a 150 m small barge berth at edible oil terminal and LNG berth No. 4 among others.