Melaka:Piling works for the Melaka International Cruise Terminal (MICT) project on Pulau Melaka have achieved 56 percent completion, with the installation of 170 piles as of October 3.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh stated that the remaining 134 piles are expected to be installed by mid-November. The MICT project includes key components such as an L-shaped jetty, a T-shaped jetty, and a Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complex.

The L-shaped jetty is planned for completion by the end of next year, with operations commencing in early 2028. The T-shaped jetty and the CIQ Complex are expected to be completed in 2029. The MICT development is seen as significant for Melaka, aligning with the state's focus on expanding the international cruise tourism market.

Ab Rauf noted that the MICT is projected to accommodate approximately 800 cruise ship arrivals annually, with a capacity of up to 1.6 million passengers. The project involves a total investment of RM2 billion and could create over 10,000 job opportunities. Currently, Melaka receives 4,800 tourists every Monday and 3,000 tourists every Thursday via the Genting Dream Cruise.

The development is a Private Finance Initiative collaboration with KAJ Development Sdn Bhd (KAJD), anticipated to bring significant economic benefits to Melaka. The state government is committed to ensuring effective coordination among departments and agencies to support the project's progress.

MICT is part of the Melaka Gateway development and is set to become the largest cruise ship terminal in Southeast Asia, enhancing the state's maritime transport industry.