Johor Port Berhad (JPB) manages and operates Johor Port in Pasir Gudang, Johor. In the late 1960’s, the Malaysian Government had responded to the increasing demands for a port to be established independent of a foreign port. Thus, Johore Port was established with facilities adequate for the handling of local cargo and managed by Federal Government. As the industrial hinterland expanded Johor Port began to further develop its facilities and was gazetted as a Free Zone in the early 1980’s. It was the first port in Malaysia gazetted as a Free Zone following the multiplying benefits to attract more cargo and businesses.
Johore Port handles all port-related activities including terminal management, cargo handling, storage and warehousing, logistics and marine operations. JPB offers the facilities for multiple modes of cargo, including break bulk (general cargo), dry bulk, liquid bulk and containerised cargo.
Users benefits from value-added
While terminal management and cargo handling remains the Company’s primary business, Johor Port prides itself in offering and extensive range of non-traditional port activities and value-added services for its customers. This includes the running of the Free Zone within which Johor Port is located. Johor Port’s control of its Free Zone services allows it to extend its scope of business and further extend the range of services to its customers.
Minister of Transport Visits Johor Port
Furthermore, having met the stringent requirements such as good security, efficient Free Zone management and excellent multi-purpose facilities, Johor Port is currently one of only four ports in Asia listed on the London Metal Exchange (LME). The LME is the world’s largest trading platform for non-ferrous metals, and Johor Port is a safe point of storage and distribution of seven such metals: zinc, copper, lead, tin, nickel, aluminium alloy and base aluminium.
The Port also handles all marine operations within its water limits, including pilotage to private jetties, ship-to-ship transfers, salvage operations and the like, Land-based logistics Sdn. Bhd. (JPL). JPL also operates all intra-port cargo movement. JPL itself is expanding its total logistics operations to achieve its aim of becoming a major regional logistics player. Working in synergistically, JPB and JPL form a comprehensive package of services to supplement the users’ supply and distribution chains.
Fully integrated ICT for speedy processing
Johor Port’s operations are managed through various web-based computer applications that allow for speedy transactions between the user and JPB. The Johor Port Container Terminal System (JCTS) was recently launched as the beginning of a multi-phase implementation of a fully integrated system that will cover the majority of operations at Johor Port. This system will incorporate the existing Free Zone Information Processing System (FZIPS) and Marine Services System (MSS) together with the upcoming Multi-Purpose Terminal System (MPTS), which will manage non-container operations, and Port Safety Management System (PSMS), which will manage safety and security at Johor Port. The ultimate aim of the integrated system is to provide a paperless and streamlined working environment that will substantially reduce operating time and costs for both Johor Port and its users.
Latest Developments
As Ports globally are increasingly competitive, Johor Port in its quest for higher efficiency and productivity, has been undertaking some intense development work. The development covers operations facilities, support facilities and infrastructure as well as overall aesthetics.
One of the main upgrades is the revamping of the main entrance control. Previous Customs checkpoint was demolished and replace. Johor Port’s own security checkpoints also replace with new, dedicated checkpoints for individual entry to Container Terminal and Breakbulk Terminal. These checkpoints and equipped with CCTV and centralised communications as well as basic utilities.
Facilities for port safety were also upgraded, with the JPB Port Safety Department office being expanded and renovated to house the Fire & Rescue under one roof. A new Security Service Centre is now available to provide pleasant and professional ambiance to cater for all security issues pertaining to entrance control.
Roads at the main entrance and key intersections were upgraded to durable, heavy-duty concrete pave. The construction also involved creating maintenance trenches for communications cables and utilities to reduce the impact of future maintenance work on day-to-day operations at the port. The completed the package, the landscaping in the area has also been revamped with walkways and new foliage appeasing to users and visitors of the Port, thus making the environment suitably convenient and conducive for businesses.
On the operations, JPB has procured several new cranes, some of which have already been deployed recently. Three new Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes (RTG’s) began operations at the Container Terminal in late 2005, with three more to come in 2007. Also in early 2007, a new Post-Panamax Gantry Crane will be delivered for wharf operations in the Container Terminal, increasing the total number of wharf cranes at the terminal to eight in total. A bulk-handling crane was also delivered in the middle of 2006 to improve productivity at the Bulk and Break Bulk terminal. Warehouses are all fully upgraded and built in 2006, making the total covered storage area for Bulk and Break Bulk to 1.5 million square feet in total.
For the users and seafarers, the Port has conveniently provided place, a mariner centre to converge for meetings or pleasures. With a bank, clinic, a meeting room, a recreational lounge, a gift shop, a restaurant and three cafes, the mariner centre will be a great place for the Port users to rest and relax as well as conduct important business discussions. The mariner centre also houses JPB Training Centre and a private marine training centre.
