ASEAN Ports Association Malaysia (MAPA)

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.

As part of the broadening relationship between Malaysia and Kenya, a sister-port agreement was signed between Kenya Ports Authority  and Port Klang Authority.  To further enhance the traditional relationship and mutual understanding between both the port authorities as well as Port Klang Operators in Malaysia and Mombasa Port of Kenya.  The sister-port agreement signed on 27^th November 2006 was witnessed by General (Rtd) J.R.E. Kibwana, Chairman Kenya Ports Authority.  Port Klang Authority was represented by Y.B. Dato’ Yap Pian Hon, Chairman and Y.Bhg. Datin Paduka O.C. Phang, General Manager whilst Kenya Ports Authority was represented by Mr Abdallah Hemed Mwaruma, Managing Director and the Corporation Secretary.

The establishment of a sister-port agreement was initially mooted during the 5^th Pan African Ports Conference and the International Association of Ports Harbours (IAPH) Europe/Africa Regional Meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya from 4^th – 8^th December 2005.  Based on the agreement, both ports have agreed to co-operate in a wide variety of fields, especially on port studies, staff training, information exchange and more importantly finding ways to develop mutually beneficial cargo and cargo traffic services between the two ports, in particular and the countries in general.

The sister-ports agreement strengthens the existing traditional friendship and mutual understanding between the people of Kenya and Malaysia and this relationship is in line with the South-South Co-operation initiated by the Malaysian Government of which Port Klang Authority is a member. Besides that the Kenya High Commission also played a vital role in the formation of this relationship through an active pursuance of ensuring the agreement materialized soonest possible.

This sister-port agreement could provide a good platform for enhancing Port Klang’s efforts in tandem with the government’s aspiration to develop business relationships between the two countries as an extension of the well established government-to government relations. South-south co-operation enhance and facilitate trade and investment linkages among developing countries. In this regard, Malaysia and Africa see economic progress as best attained through fair trade, rather than aid.

In the year 2005, Port Klang handled a total of 117412 FWT of cargo throughput from trade with Kenya. The signing of the sister-port agreement is a significant step for Port Klang as it opens up to closer relationship with East-African Ports. The Port Of Mombasa in Kenya positioned as the gateway to Eastern Africa, will provide Port Klang and Malaysia the platform to penetrate and explore new markets, especially among the countries in Eastern Africa such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. With this sister-port agreement, Port Klang is confident that there will be a tremendous trade development and improvements with Kenya.

A sister-port agreement between these ports provides new avenues for smart partnership arrangement to foster mutual co-operation. This is the beginning of a new era of co-operation which will not only benefit both countries but help to bring the Asian region close to the African Continent.