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THE operator of the new
RM400mil Sepangar Port is urging all industry
players using the port to be patient as it tries
to overcome teething problems by the end of this
month.
Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd made the appeal in a
statement after local shipping players voiced
their frustrations over the administrative
decisions that were causing delays in containers
moving in and out of the port, which began
operations on June 1.
Sabah Ports, a subsidiary Suria Capital Bhd,
said it had foreseen teething problems in the
transition from the Kota Kinabalu Port to
Sepangar Port and held discussions with port
users, who could understand the related
problems.
“We sincerely appeal to all stakeholders to bear
with us until the end of August, and we
anticipate all teething problems would be fully
addressed,” Sabah Ports added.
A sudden decision by Sabah Ports on Aug 1 to
stop allowing empty containers into the port
without a shipping order sparked off protests by
Kota Kinabalu Forwarding Association and the
West Coast Lorry Transport Association which
complained that ad hoc decisions were forcing
their members to sustain losses.
The Sabah Ports statement explained that the
move was to mitigate and address various
problems, including congestion at the port.
“We admit that the practice of allowing empty
containers (MTs) into the port area without a
shipping order (a practice carried over from the
Kota Kinabalu port) encourages shippers to make
the port premises their depot,” it said.
Sabah Ports said that the practice was not a
norm for the industry and was disadvantageous to
the operator as it caused congestion in the port
area.
The result is an operational delay related to
clearance of containers in and out the port.
The incident highlighted by the transporters was
actually a direct consequence of a new system
being implemented at the Sepangar Container Port
in order to resolve the main problem of
congestion and slowness in operations and
general inefficiency experienced at the port.
The company said that with effect from Aug 15,
all MTs would only be accepted with a shipping
order and it had informed all relevant
forwarders and shipping agents.
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