Malaysia: Samalaju and Bintulu to See Increases in Cargo Handling Demand

The hive of industrial development in Samalaju is creating opportunities for players to cater to increasing demand for cargo handling in the immediate to long term for both the Samalaju and Bintulu ports, consequently benefitting Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd.

The two ports are expected to see increases in cargo demand of 13 million to 14 million tonnes and 100,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2015, outlined analyst Ahmad Maghfur Usman from OSK Research Sdn Bhd.

“Samalaju Port’s development is on track, with the construction of its two-barge berths and a Ro Ro ramp targeted to be completed by June 2013, before the completion of the port’s first phase in 2016,” he highlighted, adding that Bintulu Port was also allocating an initial capital expenditure (capex) of RM193 million for the two barge berths.

“While the combined development could exceed RM1 billion, the bulk of its capex will be used for land reclamation and dredging the water depth deeper from seven to 12 metres, in order to cater to Panamax vessels’ requirements,” he outlined.

Ahmad Maghfur said the barge berths would be able to handle a capacity size of four million tonnes per annum.

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World Maritime News Staff, September 13, 2012