Kota kinabalu: The Sabah government has announced a series of measures aimed at reducing congestion at the Sepanggar Bay Container Port (SBCP). The initiative includes eight temporary action plans and two new strategies to improve cargo flow and minimize delays.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah's Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Ewon Benedick, emphasized that these efforts are designed to enhance the efficiency of the state's primary container port. A task force, led by Benedick, has been established to oversee the successful implementation of these measures. Immediate actions include expanding container storage by one hectare, shortening the free container storage period during peak seasons from five days to three, and introducing new tariff rates to boost container turnover.
The measures' effectiveness will be reassessed after three months. The Sabah Ports Authority (LPPS), in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), is working to streamline procedures for the disposal and auction of overdue containers, particularly those left for over 21 days and perishable goods exceeding 24 hours.
Government agencies have agreed to support continuous 24-hour operations, including during public holidays, with prior notification. For long-term solutions, LPPS has requested JKDM to conduct round-the-clock cargo inspection and clearance operations.
As part of the strategy, the Vehicle Booking System (VBS) was made mandatory on April 1 for all lorry operators to manage scheduled truck entries and ease congestion at the port entrance without extra charges. Port operator DPW Sabah is enhancing container handling capacity by leasing two Reach Stackers and five Internal Transfer Vehicles (ITVs), with more ITVs expected later this year.
Further, DPW Sabah plans to acquire 10 additional Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs), with some units arriving once the SBCP expansion is complete in the fourth quarter of next year. The Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) is also preparing a trailer parking facility to aid trailer and container movement during off-peak hours.
Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) operations have been temporarily moved from SBCP to Kota Kinabalu Port to increase container unloading capacity by 20 percent. Additionally, a Berthing Window Programme, aimed at reducing vessel congestion through scheduled time slots, will be introduced on May 22.