Sabah Rolls Out Measures To Ease Congestion At Sepanggar Port -- Ewon

KOTA KINABALU, May 15 (Bernama) -- The Sabah government has introduced eight temporary action plans and two new initiatives to ease worsening congestion at Sepanggar Bay Container Port (SBCP), including expanding container storage areas, implementing 24-hour operations and tightening cargo movement controls.

Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Ewon Benedick said the measures were aimed at improving cargo flow and reducing delays at the state’s main container port, where a task force chaired by him had been established to ensure the successful implementation of all the action plans.

He said among the immediate measures was the provision of an additional one-hectare area for container storage, reducing the free container storage period during peak seasons from five days to three days, as well as the introduction of new tariff rates to improve container turnover efficiency.

“The implementation will be reviewed after three months to ensure its effectiveness for all stakeholders,” he said in a statement here today.

He said the Sabah Ports Authority (LPPS) is working together with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) in coordinating the procedures for disposal and auction of overdue containers, especially containers that had been left at the port for more than 21 days and perishable goods exceeding 24 hours. 

Ewon said relevant government agencies had also agreed to support 24-hour operations, including during public holidays, subject to prior notification and applications, while for long-term solutions, LPPS had also requested JKDM to conduct 24-hour daily cargo inspection and clearance operations.

“On April 1, the implementation of the Vehicle Booking System (VBS) was also made mandatory for all lorry operators to regulate scheduled truck entries and reduce congestion at the port entrance without imposing any charges,” he said.

According to him, the port operator, DPW Sabah is upgrading container handling capacity through the leasing of two Reach Stackers, five Internal Transfer Vehicles (ITVs) expected to arrive next month and another seven ITVs in the fourth quarter of this year. 

He said DPW Sabah would also procure 10 additional Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs), with four units arriving once the SBCP expansion project is ready and another six units upon full completion of the project, expected in the fourth quarter of next year.

“In addition, Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) is preparing a trailer parking facility to help smooth the movement of trailers and containers during off-peak hours,” he said.

He said the Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) operations had been temporarily transferred from SBCP to Kota Kinabalu Port since yesterday with the aim to increase container unloading capacity at the wharf by 20 percent. 

A Berthing Window Programme, which is a vessel scheduling method based on pre-determined time slots would be introduced on May 22 to reduce vessel congestion in port waters, he added.

-- BERNAMA