SANDAKAN: Deputy Chief Minister III and State Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick chaired an engagement session with regulatory agencies, the port concessionaire and user associations to address operational issues at Sandakan Port.
The session focused on two major concerns affecting port operations – frequent breakdowns of existing cranes and shallow sea access channels.
Ewon said Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd (SPSB), the port concessionaire, had presented several initiatives to address the problems, including plans to procure new machinery and equipment to improve the port’s operational capacity.
As an interim measure, SPSB had transferred two cranes from Tawau Port to Sandakan Port to increase cargo-handling capacity while awaiting the procurement of new assets.
On the shallow sea access channels, Ewon said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC) and SedcoMining included plans to study dredging or deepening works in the waters near the Kinabalu Palm Oil Industrial Park Sandakan, which serve as a shipping route.
“These engagement sessions should be held at least once every quarter to ensure all stakeholders are kept informed of the latest developments and initiatives to improve port operations,” he said.
The session was attended by Sandakan MP Vivian Wong, State Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin, senior ministry officials and representatives of the Sabah Ports Authority and SPSB.
Also present were representatives of the Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Sabah Shipping Agents Association Sandakan, Sabah Forwarders Association, Sandakan Grocers Exporters and Importers Association, Sandakan Hire Lorry Transport Association and Sabah Timber Industries Association.