Two more quay cranes for Sapangar Port

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KOTA KINABALU: As part of the port development and improvement activities, two new quay cranes will be delivered to Sapangar Bay Container Port by November 2017, making it a total of four to handle the operations at the wharf.

Suria Capital Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Faisyal Diego told reporters that major infrastructure works are either on-going or in the pipeline.

They include Sapangar Bay Oil Terminal Jetty extension, Sandakan Port Wharf extension, expansion of Container Terminal for Transshipment Hub at Sapangar Bay Port, construction of Conventional Cargo Terminal at Sapangar Bay Port for the relocation of Kota Kinabalu Port operations, construction of Barge Facility at Sandakan Port and Lahad Datu Port and the construction of new oil jetty at Lahad Datu Port.

According to him in 2016, the upgrading works and a ferry ramp were completed at Kudat Port. The ferry ramp is for Ro-Ro service linking Kudat and the province of Palawan of Southern Philippines; and ferry passenger terminal to cater for passengers plying between Kudat and Banggi island.

Both these new facilities at Kudat Port are yet to be fully operational but once operational it will maximize the port’s potentials.

Faisyal also disclosed that in January 2017, Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd implemented the Autostore Terminal Operating System (TOS) at Sapangar Bay Container Port to upgrade IT infrastructure and networking at the port towards promoting efficiency and improve service level to fulfil customers’ needs and expectations.

The system provides real time tracking of containers which will speed up handling process and thus enhance operational efficiency at the facility, he said.

“S.P. Satria Logistics Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd, recently signed a collaboration with KA Petra Sdn Bhd (KPSB) for Sapangar Bay Oil Storage Depot.  It is anticipated that the partnership will create a spin-off benefit not only in bunkering services but also in fresh water supply, shipping agency services as well as the collection of waste oil and marine garbage disposal.

“Through its subsidiary, SCHB Engineering Services Sdn Bhd, the Group sees the high potential in the railway upgrading project as part of the modernization project of the State’s railway system.

“The Group had previously been involved in railway upgrading project for railway track linking Tanjung Aru to Tenom,” he said.

The subsidiary, Faisyal added, is also looking into renewable energy projects such as solar power generation, wind turbine and mini-hydro as well as Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS) service for the State Government.

On SuriaCapital’s prospects and outlook, Faisyal said that the Group anticipated positively towards 2017 on the back of some underlying signs of recovery in the global economic activities and the favourable economic prospects within the country.

The national economy is set to stay on steady growth path, anticipating a growth rate of between 4.3 per cent to 4.8 per cent in 2017. The expected growth is to be buoyed by strong domestic demand, private investment and improving global economy, especially among the country’s trading partners.

The Group also anticipates the performance of Sabah’s economy will continue to be favourable as shown since 2015, he said.

According to him, the on-going infrastructure development activities by the State Government and those undertaken by the Sabah Development Corridor will stimulate investments in the State.  They are expected to provide spin-offs and potential sources of income to the Group.  These include Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), POIC Sandakan, Kimanis Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) and Sabah Ammonia and Urea Project (SAMUR).

“The outlook for Sabah’s tourism and infrastructure construction sectors as the State’s sources of growth for 2017 seems promising and these are great potentials for our cruise and ferry terminal operations.

“According to the Sabah Tourism Board, tourist arrivals in Sabah rose by 7.9% at 3.427 million visitors in 2016, the highest since 2013, generating RM7.25 billion from tourism receipts and giving an extra 10 per cent into the State economy,” he said.

The Pan Borneo Highway project, valued at RM12.8 billion holds great opportunities for Suria’s port operations, particularly through the handling of road construction materials, he pointed out.

The road network which covers 730 km distance from Sindumin to Tawau not only will provide connectivity to the ports but open more doors for other multimodal logistics activities that will include railway connectivity and aviation hub development and as such stimulating further investments in the State.

“With such outlook, SuriaGroup is optimistic on the potentials available for it to grow and that the outlined strategies will work positively towards its performance and towards its aspiration as a catalyst for growth for the State and the country.

“As SuriaGroup moves towards becoming a leading investment corporation in ports and port-related business in Malaysia and regionally, it will focus on sustainable growth across its business segments while delivering values to its shareholders. The Group is confident  of further accomplishing its objectives of generating growth and maximizing shareholders’ value in years to come,” he added.