By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 22: The proposed deep-sea port in Tanjung Embang, set on an artificial island, will draw inspiration from Japan’s Port of Kobe, incorporating modern infrastructure and deep-water berths.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that Sarawak will use Japan’s Port of Kobe as a model given the limitations of the shallow Sarawak River, which hampers the handling of large vessels and cargo.
“When we talk about port, we only think about ports near the river or sea. But in Kuching, we have disadvantage because Sarawak River is shallow.
“If large ships and vessels cannot dock, it risks jeopardising our trade in exports and imports. Therefore, we need to think beyond traditional solutions,” he said when officiating the Graduates Enhancement Training Sarawak – Work Readiness Programme (GETS-WRP) at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
Abang Johari underscored the importance of leveraging advanced technology and innovative engineering to construct the deep-sea port offshore.
“With the right technology, Sarawak can build a port in the middle of the sea. However, this requires a high level of engineering expertise.
“Our engineers must be creative and innovative—not just traditional civil engineers. They need to design a port capable of accommodating large vessels and develop efficient systems to transport cargo to shore,” he added.
Last Sunday, the Premier announced the construction of the deep-sea port alongside Kuching’s new international airport, inspired by the design of Doha’s state-of-the-art airport, in Tanjung Embang. Both projects are set to transform the Samarahan Division.
The deep-sea port will also feature a cutting-edge gas terminal, positioning it as a critical component of Sarawak’s industrial and energy strategies.
Together, the two landmark projects are estimated to cost RM100 billion and are slated for development during the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) period. — DayakDaily
