Kota Kinabalu: The Persatuan Pengusaha Lori Kontena Kota Kinabalu (PPLKKK) hopes the newly formed Sabah Logistics Council will act fast and find a way to regulate fees charged by shipping lines into Sabah.
“The authorities should also examine and expedite the port expansion without further delay,” said PPLKKK spokesperson, Joseph Chong, in a statement.
He said Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd (SPSB) should also relook at the management of Sapanggar Bay Container Port (SBCP).
“The expansion of SBCP mooted more than seven to eight years ago is still to be seen. The port is just unable to cope, and with lack of space, equipment and manpower, receiving and delivery was just not satisfactory,” he said.
“They urged port users to take delivery of laden as soon as possible but their truck turnaround time is making hauliers wait longer than expected.
“Hauliers wanted to do more trip in a day but with their failure, we just cannot meet our target. Equipment breakdown, slow change of shift, shortage of workers and lack of monitoring by the senior management contributed to it,” he said.
He said receiving of containers too is at the receiving end of their lack of space.
“Laden or empties are not allowed into the port earlier and are being given only a mere two or three days to deliver hundreds of containers for a particular vessel. And in the other way around, they impose penalty charges if containers are delivered into the port late, after a time given by them.
“We understand SPSB management is doing their best to solve the issue, but this problem has persisted far too long.
“We also call upon importers to also consider receiving their containers after working hours, Sunday or public holidays.
“This will help ease the congestion at the port. Of course, this create another question, why and when is SBCP going to be gazetted as 24 hours seven days a week port by Customs (KDRM) instead of an eight to five 8-5 days week port ?
“The change will greatly help in the passing of papers with Customs and do away with having to request for overtime. Is this congestion not enough to prove that we need to be gazetted as a 24 hour port?
“Can the authorities concerned expedite it?,” he said.
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