KUCHING, March 24: Senari Port will be equipped with a RM30 million Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) by May this year to ensure navigational safety and efficiency at the port located in Jalan Bako here.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas explained that the system is almost ready and it will enable the operator to detect and manage incoming vessels with a radar of 40km range to the sea from the shore.
“The VTMS will provide real time information on essential navigational conditions.
“It will coordinate and monitor overall vessel traffic flow in the designated area so as to provide navigational safety.
“It will also regulate the movement of vessels carrying dangerous cargoes and the control of marine incidents besides protecting the environment,” he said in a statement following a visit to check on the installation progress at Senari Port today.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, also visited the site of the port vehicle yard and its associated facilities nearby.
He was briefed that the yard was for roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) ships which are ships transporting vehicles into Sarawak.
“Currently, these ships will berth at Pending (at Kuching Port Authority wharf) upon arrival.
“But now we are also constructing the Sejingkat Bridge near Senari Port. When we join the two sides (ends) of the bridge or twitch it, the RoRo vessels can no longer travel up to Pending,” he said.
As such, Uggah wants the contractor undertaking the vehicle yard project to get the facility ready by July 2024 in preparation for the connection process that is expected to take place in September 2024.
He informed that the new vehicle yard costing RM56.9 million would be able to accommodate 5,000 units of vehicles and its construction is now four per cent ahead of schedule.
“The current Pending yard can only accommodate 2,800 units of vehicles which are for sales in the Sarawak market.
“So to those in the RoRo ship business, we are here to help them. We want them to stay put in Kuching. We will provide the best and necessary services, getting ready the facilities needed and more space at Senari Port,” he added.
Later, Uggah also visited the construction of the RM365.7 million Sejingkat Bridge project which is currently 12 per cent ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed in June, 2025.
“So far, the construction progress is satisfactory. But we would like to speed it up on its delivery date as it is part of the Coastal Road project.
“We are very rigorous in our infrastructure development. For us in JKR (Public Works Department) Sarawak, we must ensure our projects can be completed in time.
“That is why myself, my two deputies Datuk Majang Renggi and Aidel Lariwoo and my senior officers, we are always on the ground to monitor the progress and to resolve whatever issues on the ground which can affect the timely delivery,” he added. — DayakDaily
