Ten new palm oil storage tanks to be constructed

KUCHING: Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (BPHB) is embarking on a RM600mil expansion programme to boost Bintulu Port’s cargo handling capacity.

Chief executive officer Mior Ahmad Baiti Mior Lub Ahmad said the expansion of the container terminal, which started seven months ago, would raise annual handling capacity by 250,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) to 650,000 TEUs when completed next year.

Also under implementation is the expansion of the multi-purpose terminal for dry bulk cargo.

Mior Ahmad said the construction of the proposed RM14.9mil container freight station was awarded last week.

To be awarded soon was a contract to build 10 new storage tanks for palm oil, he said. The proposed RM25mil project will boost storage capacity by 26,000 tonnes from 76,000 tonnes.

Also in the pipeline are the proposed development of 19.1ha for port operation buildings and yard and an additional berth for the edible oil terminal.

Other planned projects included the conversion of the existing 200m general cargo wharf into a containerised cargo wharf and the purchase of more cargo handling equipment, Mior Ahmad said after the company AGM yesterday.

“All these projects are expected to be completed by 2011,” he said.

Chairman Tun Mohd Eusoff Chin said in a statement that the company would expand the liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities if the need arose.

“Currently, the LNG segment contributes 78% to the group’s total operating revenue,” he said, adding that in the next five years, LNG cargo would account for 60% of operating revenue.

Mior Ahmad said LNG handling contributed about RM330mil to revenue last year while containerised cargo and palm oil accounted for some RM33mil and RM22mil respectively.

BPHB recorded group operating revenue of RM448.8mil for the year ended Dec 31, up by RM31.6mil from 2007. Group pre-tax profit jumped to RM205.9mil against RM189.2mil in 2007.

Statistics have shown that container volume grew by over 15% to 290,167 TEUs last year from 251,800 TEUs in 2007.

Mior Ahmad said the economic slowdown had adversely affected Bintulu Port’s container cargo traffic, which dropped by about 30% for the first three months of this year against the same period last year.

However, he said there were positive signs that the situation had steadily improved.

“For dry bulk fertiliser there was zero import in the first quarter this year. But there are two shipments coming in this month,’’ he added.

LNG export volume, however, had sustained, he said.

He said 15 shipping lines (container cargo) were now calling at Bintulu Port.

By JACK WONG

Bintulu Port celebrated its 25^th Anniversary on 15^th August 2006.  The activities to mark the special occasion started on 12^th August till 19^th September 2006 which include the open sea fishing competition, open golf tournament, the game of futsal and netball, religious ceramahs, port open day an port exhibition.  The climax of the celebration was the official opening ceremony of Bintulu Port Authority’s new building “MENARA KIDURONG” by Tuan yang Terutama Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin, Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak on the 19^th September 2006.  The Honourable Tun was accompanied by Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Norkiah, Deputy Chief Minister / Minister of Infrastructure Development & Communication of Sarawak / Minister of Rural Development, YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang.  Also present for the ceremony was Deputy Secretary General (Operation), Ministry Of Transport Malaysia Y. Bhg. Dato’ Jamilah Mohd. Jan, who represented the Honourable YB Minister Of Transport Malaysia.

Others dignitaries present included Resident of Bintulu, Dr Razali Abon, Tuan Hj. Mohidin Bin Ishak, General Manager of Bintulu Development Authority, Heads of Departments from various government agencies and private companies including General Manager of Sabah Ports Authority, Perbadanan Aset Keretapi and representatives from Port Klang Authority and Johor Port Authority.  Welcoming address was delivered by Y. Bhg. Capt. Abdul Rahim Bin Akob, General Manager of Bintulu Port Authority and the keynote address was given by Y. Bhg. Dato’ Jamilah Mohd. Jan, who represented the Honourable YB Minister Of Transport Malaysia.

Historically, Bintulu Port Authority (BPA) began 25 years ago with its establishment on 15^th August 1981 under Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981.  It carried with it the responsibilities covering the development, administration, marketing and provision of adequate and efficient port services.  This is aimed at making Bintulu Port the largest and most efficient transport and distribution centre in the region.  Bintulu Port commenced its operations on 1^st January 1983.  Bintulu Port Authority is a Federal Statutory Body under the Ministry Of Transport Malaysia.

By 1993, the government had decided to corporatise and subsequently in 2001 privatize the port services operation at Bintulu Port under the privatisation Acts 1990.  For the purpose of carrying out port services operation, Bintulu Port Authority had licensed Bintulu Port Sdn. Bhd. a port operating company.  Following the privatisation of Bintulu Port operations in 1993, Bintulu Port Authority was restructed in accordance with its main function as a regulatory body entrusted to oversee all activities at the port including the utilization of port facilities and operations by licensed port operators, owner of port properties, acts as trade facilitator, planning and development of the Port.  Bintulu Port Authority also overseas and ensures the safety and security in port operations at Bintulu Port and within its water limit.

Bintulu Port is the only export gateway for Malaysia’s biggest export earner – liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced from the Central Luconia field, off the Bintulu coast.   Even though LNG is the main commodity handled at Bintulu Port, a variety of general cargo, liquid and dry bulk and containerized cargoes continue to grow in volume.

Throughout twenty five years of existent, Bintulu Port doesn’t seem to slow down and continue to develop.  The Port has enhanced its operational capabilities considerably to provide greater capacity and capability to meet  the needs of the port users.  From merely 4.14 million tons in 1983, now Bintulu Port handles 36.44 million tones of cargo in 2005.  Ships calling at Bintulu Port have grew to 5,789 ship calls in 2005 from only 1,095 ship calls in 1983.  When it first operational, the main cargo (LNG) was recorded at 1.38 million tones which was handled through only one LNG jetty.  Now the cargo continues to grow with a recorded 22.26 million tones of LNG in 2005, handled through its 3 jetties which the latest one was launched officially on 22^nd April 2004 by YB Dato’ Seri Chan Kong Choy, Minister Of Transport Malaysia.  With this development Bintulu Port has become the single largest LNG export terminal in the world with the capacity to handle 23 million tones annually.

On 28^th June 2005, YB Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Ministry Of Transport Malaysia, accompanied by General Manager Captain Abdul Rahim Akob witnessed the handing over ceremony of the 2^nd Inner Basin and Interconnecting Dyke.  The 2^nd Inner Basin will facilitate the port operation especially for ever growing palm oil industry with the oil palm terminal supported by bulking installation located in the area.

Menara Kidurong, the new BPA Corporate Headquarters Building was completed April 2005.  It will play a major role in facilitating the business transaction within the port by becoming the modern one stop centre that will host several government agencies and all major players in the port community, including a fully-equipped Control Tower for overall port surveillance.  The building offers more than 9,000 square meters of rentable office space, a shipping hall, auditorium, cafeteria, exhibition hall and function rooms, basement parking and many other facilities.

BPA commitment to quality was given due recogniction with the accreditation of ISO standard by Independent European Certification (IEC) with the certification of MS ISO9001:1994 in 2001 for “Regulating the operation and handling of LNG at Bintulu Port”.  The objectives were to ensure the quality and safety of LNG operaton at Bintulu Port.  The certification was upgraded to the ISO9001:2000 version on 22^nd December 2003.  BPA was also certified to be compliant to the International Ship & Port Security (ISPS) Code with effect from 1^st July 2004.  This has placed Bintulu Port on an international footing for all foreign vessels to have confidence in Bintulu Port security measures.  It is also a testimony of Bintulu Port commitment to provide a secure and safe environment for all port users and creates a more comprehensive awareness of threats.

On it’s 25^th Anniversary, Bintulu Port Authority has established its indispensable role to ensure the development of maritime trade and port industry in the country and the region.  It plays an important role in the establishment of Bintulu Port as Malaysia’s LNG Gateway and in the establishment of Bintulu as an important logistics and trading hub for this part of the country and region at large.  With vast experience since its inception in 1981, BPA will continue to play its role as the governing body of Bintulu Port, working hand-in-hand with the Port Operator and other agencies to bring Bintulu Port to greater heights and better prepared in meeting future challenges.

Biport Bulkers Sdn Bhd (BBSB) is the newest gem of Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BHB) after Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd (BPSP). Both companies are a wholly owned subsidiary of Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad. BBSB was established to manage and operate a vegetable oil bulking terminal to cater for ever growing palm oil industries in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. BBSB is currently the only company specializing in the storage and the main outlets for vegetable oils in Sarawak.

Palm oils history at Bintulu dated back in 1986, where the first refinery was built adjacent to Bintulu Port with the export and import of the oils being facilitated by Bintulu Port through pipelines stretching along its general cargo wharves ad container terminal at the 1^st Inner Harbour. Being the only distribution outlets in the state of Sarawak to the outside world and still remain so at this moment, palm oil products handled through Bintulu Port grew from 23,000 tonnes in 1986 to 1 million in 2004. The growth in throughput is a testimony of the strategic role played by Bintulu Port in supporting the industry. With the government current emphasis on the development of palm oil industry throughout the country, especially in the state of Sarawak, throughput handled through Bintulu Port is set to breach 1.2 million tones in 2005.

In furthering its support to the industry and in tandem with the impending developments. BHB took another step forward with the formation of Biport Bulkers Sdn. Bhd. To manage and operate a vegetable oil bulking terminal that aims to provide a safe, efficient, quality and affordable storage solutions for the industry.

Built at the cost of RM66 millions on a 15 acres site, BBSB’s bulking terminal is equipped with modern and state of the art facilities. Its facilities consisted of multi-sized tanks of various capacities to cater for different needs and requirements of individual companies. Each tanks farm is segregated from one another and designed with a dedicated pipeline system to ensure optimum security and efficiency during handling of the oils. To facilitate the export and import operations, a dedicated jetty was build adjacent to the terminal. The jetty, which can accommodate 2 vessels of various sizes and lengths at any one tome, is owned, managed and operated by Bintulu Port Sdn. Bhd.

By: Bintulu Port Sdn. Bhd.