Posted on November 29, 2016
THE proposed dredging of the shallow access channel at Kuala Baram river mouth should be able to restore Miri Port of its status as a premier deep-sea port.
Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting said the proposed move would also turn Kuala Baram Industrial Estate into a vibrant and successful industrial area.
“Big vessels sail to Bintulu with the cargoes in containers and thereafter, these containers are transported to Miri with extra transport costs. Things are generally more expensive in Miri than other places. The Miri people must not be made to pay such extra costs for an indefinite period of time. This is totally unfair to the people of Miri,” he said in his debate on the State Budget 2017.
Noting that 11 shipyards and supporting services were operating in Kuala Baram, Ting said this industry had a total investment of more than RM3 billion and employed more than 8,000 people at its peak.
“The sizes of ships being built are also limited to those that can meet the shallow draft at the rivermouth. This has adversely affected the healthy growth of this shipping industry.”
According to him, at present the oil and gas logistics base support services in the millions are diverted to Labuan and Bintulu, pointing out that this has negatively affected the oil and gas economy in Miri.
He also called for a logistic base to be located in Kuala Baram upon the completion of the proposed deepening of the channel.
“Presently, palm oil from oil palm plantations is being transported to Bintulu for export overseas; thus incurring extra transport costs.
Companies will save such costs, in the millions, if Kuala Baram could become the alternative choice other than Bintulu.
“With these business activities, the volume of cargo handle by Miri Port Authority (MPA) would increase tremendously and accordingly, so would the profit of MPA.”
Source: Miri.my
