KUCHING: The cargo throughput handled by state-owned port authorities increased 1.53 million tonnes, or 7.2 per cent, to 22.79 million tonnes last year from about 21.26 million tonnes in 2017.
Sarawak Infrastructure Development and Transportation Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the state-owned port authorities of Kuching, Rajang, Miri, Tanjung Manis and Samalaju recorded an increase of 6.1 per cent, 7.3 per cent, 11.8 per cent and 49.9 per cent, respectively, in 2018 cargo throughput.
“However, Tanjung Manis Port Authority reported a decrease of 24.9 per cent, mainly due to a decrease in the export of timber commodities handled,” he said in his winding-up speech for his ministry in the state legislative assembly here yesterday.
Masing, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said the main issue that constrained the growth of the Miri Port was the shallow access channel.
“The shallow depth of Kuala Baram has always become an obstacle for Miri Port to attract bigger vessels,” he said.
Masing added that Miri Port was only handling 25.8 per cent of its cargo throughout its capacity of 3.5 million tonnes. – Bernama
