By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 25: The RM208.9 million Kuala Baram Delta dredging project at Miri Port is progressing ahead of schedule, with overall physical progress now reaching about 55 per cent, while proposals are being studied to further extend the navigation channel up to 10 kilometres.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, when visiting the project site in Miri today, said he observed ongoing works on the wave breaker systems — North Bank and South Bank — which have started reducing wave impact at the Baram mouth and will help stabilise the access channel while preventing siltation.
“With the completion of the North Bank and the South Bank up to about five kilometres, the water depth in the channel will be around five metres.
“Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas mentioned on board the boat just now that there is a possibility we may extend it further to about 10 kilometres. That would bring the depth to around 10 metres,” he said. An audio recording of his remarks was later shared with DayakDaily.
He said the improved channel depth and stability would also support cruise ship navigation in the future.
“Cruise ships normally require about seven to eight metres of depth. With this sort of wave breakers, the channel will be safe from siltation,” he said.
He added that larger vessels would operate further out along the channel, while smaller boats could still access deeper inland areas for transport and logistics activities.
Abang Johari also said the Miri Port has the potential to evolve into a “mini Shanghai” as reclaimed land from the ongoing Kuala Baram Delta dredging works is expected to gradually expand industrial and commercial space along the northern coastline.
“What is important here is what you can notice just now: the channel in the North Bank, the waves are far. Meaning there is a beach, an elongated beach, right up to where the waves are.
“This beach will grow through time. There will be some deposit for siltation so the land will grow,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with Shanghai, Abang Johari said the Chinese city has a major port stretching along a coastline of about 60 kilometres, supported by extensive development.
“That’s why I mentioned about Shanghai. Shanghai has a port which is about 60 kilometres. But Shanghai is big. So let’s start with ‘mini Shanghai’,” he said.
He added that the reclaimed land could support industrial activities, including shipbuilding and repair facilities, alongside commercial development.
He also highlighted the potential for a structured shipyard facility, noting that current boat-building activities along riverbanks are difficult to monitor and audit effectively.
“At the moment, it’s difficult to audit the shipbuilding in Rajang because it is not structured. In the long run, the new shipbuilding will be structured, so quality and oversight will improve,” he said.
He further noted that Sarawak is already exporting vessels, citing examples of patrol boats delivered to the United Arab Emirates and boats exported to Australia.
He said a structured facility at Miri Port would strengthen Sarawak’s competitiveness in the global marine industry, while also attracting international vessels and boosting economic activity in northern Sarawak.
At the same time, Abang Johari pointed out that the Miri port’s proximity to the oil and gas industry presents further opportunities, including the development of support services.
“Earlier, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas reported that we are going to propose the development of oil and gas-based support services catering to production waters in Miri, with an estimated investment of RM30 million.
“This is an investment and we have the means to do it,” he emphasised.
The Kuala Baram Delta dredging project includes dredging of the access channel to a depth of -5 metres, construction of two 6-kilometre training bunds on both sides of the channel, and upgrading of navigational aids to enhance maritime safety.
It is targeted for full completion by the last quarter of 2026. — DayakDaily
