Kuala lumpur: The Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP) expansion project has reached 62.75 percent completion as of June and is now expected to be completed by October 2027 following delays caused by difficulty in securing sand supply that meets specifications.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick stated that the sand could only be sourced from about 10 kilometers away and must undergo a cleaning process before being transported back to the project site for land reclamation works. Ewon explained the delay occurred due to the sand supply logistics, highlighting the cumbersome process of sourcing, cleaning, and transporting the sand needed for the expansion.
Ewon, who also serves as the Sabah Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, mentioned that he has been in discussions with the WCT-CCCC consortium, the main contractor for the expansion, to address the state government's concerns and explore measures to enhance the project's implementation. The consortium has assured the state government that at least 1.6 hectares of the project area would be handed over for use as a temporary container storage yard while awaiting the expansion project's total completion.
Meanwhile, Ewon acknowledged that the increase in direct shipping services from foreign ports to Sapangar has contributed to port congestion, driven by growing investment and export activities in Sabah. He noted that this development is a positive indicator of the state's economic activity, with more companies in industrial areas producing goods for export through the port.
Ewon emphasized that port-related issues should be addressed as part of the broader industrial ecosystem, which includes ensuring that depots, logistics companies, and destinations receiving the containers are operational at night. The Sabah government is still awaiting a decision from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department regarding its application to have SBCP gazetted for 24-hour operations.
He also mentioned that his ministry will review the Port Master Plan and conduct engagement sessions with relevant stakeholders, including State Legislative Assembly members, port operators, and industry associations. In addition, two new quay cranes are being installed at Tawau Port, with operations expected to begin early next month.