By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 5: Two new electric-powered quay cranes in Senari Port are expected to improve its container handling productivity to 100 Gross Moves Per Hour (GMPH), says Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said the two new cranes – QC6 and QC7, procured from Harbour Link Group (HLG) Equipment Sdn Bhd, would increase Kuching Port Authority’s (KPA) record of 9.3 million tonnes of cargo and 274,202 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last year.
“Earlier, KPA chairman Dato Awang Bemee Pengiran Ali Basah said with the additional cranes, the new target of container handling would increase from 26 to 35 GMPH for each crane, totalling to 70 GMPH for both cranes.
“However, I have requested KPA general manager Robert Lau to increase the GMPH to 50 per crane, totalling to 100 GMPH for both cranes.
“If other ports can do it, Kuching can also do it. Don’t worry about the problem that comes later because any problem can always be resolved,” he said during the handover ceremony of two units of quay cranes held at Senari Port here today.
The procurement of the two cranes was made possible through the Sarawak government’s funding of RM70 million.
Amongst those present were Awang Bemee, Lau, Sarawak Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) acting deputy permanent secretary Mustapha Adenan, Sarawak Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) director Jamadi Yusup, Harbour Link Group Berhad Group managing director Dato Francis Yong Piaw Soon, and Qingdao Haixi Heavy-Duty Machinery Co. Ltd marketing director Winny Li Qiuhong. — DayakDaily
