318 Registered Vessels Reflect Importance Of River Transport In Sarawak
KUCHING: River transport continues to play a vital role as the lifeline of mobility and a driver of the rural economy in Sarawak, with the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) recording a total of 318 vessel registrations as of 31 March 2026.
Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said this total involves 13 new applications and 305 renewals of River Transport Permits (RTP), thereby reflecting the community's continuous reliance on the water transport sector, particularly in coastal and remote areas.
According to him, the registrations encompass various types of water transport, including cargo boats, tugboats and passenger boats, which remain the primary medium for community connectivity and local economic activities.
“Efforts to strengthen navigational safety have also been enhanced through the installation of 20 river traffic signs at strategic locations, including passenger terminals in Sarikei, Sibu and Kapit, as well as along Batang Rajang from Kapit to Pelagus,” he said.
He said this during his ministerial winding-up session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Monday.
During the same period, he explained that SRB also intensified community engagement through four River Awareness Programmes involving 470 participants through gotong-royong activities, basic boat handling training and the distribution of life jackets.
He added that a total of 10 Marine Traffic and Risk Analysis (MTRA) studies have been approved and are currently being conducted to reinforce risk management and enhance operational safety in the state's waters.
From an enforcement aspect, SRB has carried out 389 river patrols, 589 vessel inspections, 57 enforcement operations and 35 premises inspections, in addition to issuing 31 compounds to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.
Commenting further, he explained that a total of 141,133 passengers utilised river facilities and jetties managed by SRB as of the first quarter of this year, further proving that river transport remains an essential medium in connecting communities and boosting economic activities throughout Sarawak. -UKASnews
