Kuala Baram Channel Dredging Project Expected To Be Completed By Year End
MIRI: The Kuala Baram access channel dredging project, which is currently ahead of schedule, is expected to be completed by the end of this year, earlier than its contractual completion date of March 2027.
The completion of the project is expected to pave the way for the strengthening of operations and trade activities at Miri Port.
Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the project, which commenced in July 2024, was progressing smoothly and would improve navigational access to Miri Port at Kuala Baram.
He said the completion of the project would provide a stronger foundation for the future development and operations of the port, particularly in facilitating trade activities and cargo handling.
“Miri Port must fully leverage the advantage of having an improved access channel by strengthening its relationships with existing and potential customers, especially players in the oil and gas industry and other sectors, to explore new business and investment opportunities,” he said.
He said this in his speech text, which was delivered by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (Port Development) Dato Majang Renggi at the Certificate and Awards Presentation Ceremony held in conjunction with the 43rd Year of MPA Excellence and 28 Years of Miri Port Operations at Kuala Baram on Friday.
Meanwhile, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said the Sarawak Government had also allocated land at Miri Port for the proposed development of a Free Zone and basic support services for upstream oil and gas activities in Miri waters.
He said the area had the potential to accommodate various activities, including oil and gas operations, intermodal cargo transfer, break-bulk, container handling, packaging and labelling, processing, manufacturing and assembly, as well as import and re-export activities.
The development, he said, could attract new industrial and business activities, create employment opportunities and increase cargo throughput via Miri Port.
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said port development today was no longer focused solely on physical infrastructure and cargo handling, but also encompassed human capital development, management systems, innovation and good governance.
Also present were Sarawak Transport Minister cum Senadin Assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (Infrastructure) Datuk Ir. Aidel Lariwoo, Batu Danau Assemblyman cum Miri Port Authority Chairman Dato Palu@Paulus Palu Gumbang, Miri Mayor cum Pujut Assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Sang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak cum Deputy Chairman of Miri Port Authority Datu Chiew Chee Yau, Miri Division Resident Galong Luang, and Miri Port Authority General Manager Serawa Budol. -UKASnews
