LABUAN: The containerised port of Labuan Liberty Wharf, also known as Labuan Port, has undergone a major transformation in cargo handling and port-related services over the past two years.Issues like long berthing time, low productivity and yard congestion have been resolved through the implementation of an efficient management system, said the port operator Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd (Megah).
Its Chief Operating Officer Datuk Seri Patrick Tiong said the port operator has taken a new approach to port management.
“We have identified internal and external factors that had led to the deficient management of Labuan Port.
“We must prove to the Government, especially to the Ministry of Transport (MoT), that Megah (after taking over the port in March 2020) is capable of turning around the Labuan containerised port’s operational and service system efficiency,” he said, Saturday.
Tiong said the previous vessel berthing time of three to four days had been reduced significantly to within 24 hours, and the cargo handling movement of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per hour expedited from three to four to 17-18 TEUs per hour.
“Previously the port operation was running until 10pm, but now, Megah is running the terminal 24 hours, and this augurs well for the port’s efficiency,” he added.
Tiong also disclosed that in recent months, the number of vessel calls for direct shipping services showed an upward trend, including from Japan and Europe.
“The sea transport mode plays a very important role in the Labuan economy, with more than 80 per cent of goods, commodities and oil and gas materials imported and exported by ships, therefore the Labuan Port is the main gateway for this duty-free island.
“Labuan Port services must continue to improve to be efficient and competent for the benefit of the island and the country as a whole.
“As Labuan Port is the main port of the island, and in order to improve its operational and service system efficiency, some local ports, modern ports and international (practices) have to be taken into account for study and comparison purposes,” he elaborated.
He noted that Labuan Port has achieved a milestone in port services by receiving American oil rigs for lay-up purposes.
Tiong said Megah is in the early stages of a plan to turn Labuan Port into a smart port with advanced technology systems in cargo handling, cargo tracking system and port-related services.
“The smart port will apply the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for surveillance purposes within the port’s protected area,” he revealed.
Tiong said Megah would be working with Victoria STS Sdn Bhd, a company handling ship-to-ship cargo transfer at the Labuan Port parameters of Victoria Bay.
“Our focus now is to diversify Labuan’s maritime industry into a more competitive maritime service…after being granted a licence (for ship-to-ship) our group of companies (Megah and Victoria STS) has scored remarkable achievements, handling the transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil for multinational companies,” he said.
